Accessaries

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Accessary \Ac*ces"sa*ry\ (277), n.; pl. {Accessaries}. [Cf.
     {Accessory} and LL. accessarius.] (Law)
     One who, not being present, contributes as an assistant or
     instigator to the commission of an offense.
     [1913 Webster]
  


     {Accessary before the fact} (Law), one who commands or
        counsels an offense, not being present at its commission.
        
  
     {Accessary after the fact}, one who, after an offense,
        assists or shelters the offender, not being present at the
        commission of the offense.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: This word, as used in law, is spelt accessory by
           Blackstone and many others; but in this sense is spelt
           accessary by Bouvier, Burrill, Burns, Whishaw, Dane,
           and the Penny Cyclopedia; while in other senses it is
           spelt accessory. In recent text-books on criminal law
           the distinction is not preserved, the spelling being
           either accessary or accessory.
           [1913 Webster]