paraphernalia

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a collection of miscellaneous equipment or objects used for a particular activity

   The doctor packed the instruments, drugs, and other paraphernalia of his trade.

2. 2
   noun

   historically, a married woman's personal property apart from her dowry

   The settlement specified which jewels would remain her paraphernalia after marriage.

From Medieval Latin paraphernalia bona, "goods beyond the dowry," based on Greek parapherna, from para- ("beside, beyond") + pherne ("dowry"). The legal plural broadened in English from a wife's separate belongings to miscellaneous possessions and then to equipment for an activity.

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