accessory before the fact Definition

accessory
noun accessories

1. Something additional to, but less important than, something else.
2. An item of dress, such as a bag, hat, etc which goes with a dress, coat, etc.

Thesaurus: adornment, embellishment, frill, trim.
3. law.
Someone who helps a criminal do something wrong.
Thesaurus: accomplice, partner, assistant, aide, associate, colleague, confederate, helper, adjunct, abettor.
Form: accessary (sometimes)

adj

1. Adding to something but only in a minor way.

Derivative: accessory before the fact
noun

Someone who helps a criminal before or after the crime.

Etymology: 17c as accessory; 15c as accessary: from Latin accessorius.