or ACCESSARY, something that accedes, or is added to another more considerable thing; in which sense it is opposed to PRINCIPAL.

In Common Law, it is applied to a person guilty of a felonious offence, not principally, but by participation; as by advice, command, or concealment. There are two kinds of accessories; before the fact, and after it. The first is he who commands or procures another to commit felony, and is not present himself; for if he be present he is a principal. The second is he who receives, assists, or comforts any man that has done murder or felony, whereof he has knowledge. A man may also be accessory to an accessory, by aiding, receiving, &c., an accessory in felony.