something attending or added as a circumstance to another, either by way of ornament, or for the sake of symmetry.

Accompaniment, Accompanimento, Accompanagnatura, in Music, denotes the instruments which accompany a voice, in order to sustain it, as well as to make the music more full. The accompaniment is used in recitative, as well as in song; on the stage, as well as in the choir, &c. The ancients had likewise their accompaniments in the theatre; they had even different kinds of instruments to accompany the chorus, from those which accompanied the actors in the recitation. The accompaniment, among the moderns, is frequently a different part or melody from the song it accompanies. It is disputed whether it was so among the ancients. It is generally alleged, that their accompaniments went no farther than the playing in octave, or in antiphony to the voice. The Abbé Fraguier, from a passage in Plato, pretends to prove, that they had actual symphony, or music in parts; but his arguments seem far from being conclusive.

in Painting, denotes such objects as are added, either by way of ornament or fitness to the principal figures; as dogs, guns, game, &c. in a hunting piece.

in Heraldry, any thing added to a shield by way of ornament; as the belt, mantling, supporters, &c. It is also applied to several bearings about a principal one; as a faltier, bend, fefs, chevron, &c.

ACCOMPlice, one that has a hand in a business; or is privy in the same design or crime with another. See Accessory.

By the law of Scotland, the accomplice can only be prosecuted after the conviction of the principal offender, unless the accession of the accomplice is immediate, in ipso actu, (so as in effect to render them co-principal.) By the general rule, the accomplice suffers the same punishment with the principal offender; yet if he be remarkably less guilty, justice will not permit equal punishment.

The council of Sens, and several other synodical statutes, expressly prohibit the revealing of accomplices.