paraphernalia

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The Middle Latin expression paraphernalia is properly dowry, though it has now assumed an entirely different meaning.

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Definitions (11)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. plural noun Personal belongings.
  2. plural noun The articles used in a particular activity; equipment: a photographer's paraphernalia. See Synonyms at equipment.
  3. plural noun A married woman's personal property exclusive of her dowry, according to common law.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (4)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (3)

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Examples (50)

  • The Hillary Clinton campaign raised questions about the huge amount of e-retail sales the Obama campaign was making for such things as t-shirts and other campaign paraphernalia, and how such sales were being tracked and used for fundraising purposes. —  Stuck On Stupid
  • In his room, oxygen tanks stand in a wardrobe where baby clothes and other paraphernalia should be. —  thedaily.com.au: Breaking News
  • All this attention to the body, which then gets put through the meat grinder during the bloody matches in the ring, where broken glass, razor wire, and other blunt paraphernalia are then used to smash and abuse the same flesh to appease the bloodlust of hardcore crowd. —  Twitch
  • Officers also noticed drug paraphernalia, as well as tools, broken glass, electronics and CD cases in the vehicle. —  Local Headlines - ABC News 4
  • It seems Philadelphia's drug cops have adopted a nasty habit of raiding corner stores accused of selling paraphernalia, then smashing security cameras and just straight-up stealing cash and merchandise. —  Stop the Drug War (DRCNet) - raising awareness of the consequences of prohibition -- news and activism supporting sensible reform
 

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This word has been looked up 201 times.

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Related

Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

trappings ·  implement ·  apparel ·  pomp ·  accessory ·  furnishings ·  attire ·  apparatus ·  finery ·  trinket ·  appliance ·  adornment
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Medieval Latin paraphernālia, neuter pl. of paraphernālis, pertaining to the parapherna, a married woman's property exclusive of her dowry, from Greek : para-, beyond; see para-1 + phernē, dowry; see bher-1 in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle Latin, from neuter plural of Late Latin *paraphernalis: see paraphernal.
 

Pronunciations
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/pærəfərˈneɪliə/
by American Heritage

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