paraphernalia

[ par-uh-fer-neyl-yuh, -fuh-neyl- ]

noun

1. (sometimes used with a singular verb) equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity:

   a skier's paraphernalia.

   Synonyms: trappings

2. (used with a plural verb) personal belongings.

   Synonyms: effects

3. (used with a singular verb) Law. the personal articles, apart from dower, reserved by law to a married woman.

paraphernalia

/ ˌpærəfəˈneɪlɪə /

plural noun

1. miscellaneous articles or equipment
2. law (formerly) articles of personal property given to a married woman by her husband before or during marriage and regarded in law as her possessions over which she has some measure of control

Other Words From

• para·pher·nalian par·a·pher·nal [par-, uh, -, fur, -nl], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphernalia¹

1470–80; < Medieval Latin paraphernālia ( bona ) a bride's goods, beyond her dowry, equivalent to Late Latin paraphern ( a ) a bride's property (< Greek parápherna, equivalent to para- para- ¹ + phern ( ḗ ) dowry, derivative of phérein to bear ¹ + -a neuter plural noun suffix) + Latin -ālia, noun use of neuter plural of -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphernalia¹

C17: via Medieval Latin from Latin parapherna personal property of a married woman, apart from her dowry, from Greek, from para- ¹+ phernē dowry, from pherein to carry

Example Sentences

He also adds, "It would give Kamala Harris the chance to be the 47th president of the United States of America. It would disrupt all of Donald Trump's paraphernalia. Right? He would have to rebrand everything. And it would make it much easier for the next woman to run for president and to not have to worry about historical weight of being the first."

From Salon

And it imbues the foodstuffs, home goods, clothes, paraphernalia and tchotchkes that hail from here with a sort of unquantifiable, ineffable, sun-kissed, surf-adjacent vibe that wraps around you like a cartoon bear hug.

From Los Angeles Times

Authorities found Payne’s Buenos Aires hotel room strewn with drug paraphernalia, and an autopsy showed “pink cocaine,” a mix of designer drugs, in his bloodstream.

From Los Angeles Times

But she was arrested nearby and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and making criminal threats, both misdemeanors.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Woods said Mr Skripal had vomited and she had checked the area for drug paraphernalia, but never considered he might have been deliberately poisoned.

From BBC

Related Words

• gear
• machinery
• regalia