accoutrement

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an item of equipment, clothing, or decoration used for a particular activity or role, most often in the plural

   The soldier laid each accoutrement beside his pack before inspection.

2. 2
   noun

   an outward sign, accessory, or minor feature associated with a way of life or position

   A private office was treated as an accoutrement of senior management.

Borrowed from French accoutrement, from accoutrer, meaning to equip or dress. In English it first referred especially to a soldier's equipment and later broadened to accessories and the outward trappings of a role.

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