appurtenance

[ uh-pur-tn-uhns ]

noun

1. Usually appurtenances. something associated with, accompanying, or belonging to another thing; accessory:

   A retreat to rolling green hills and idyllic lakes, complete with all the appurtenances of luxury we're used to, is a good stress cure.

2. Law. Usually appurtenances. a right or privilege, outbuilding, or other asset belonging to and passing with a principal property:

   The real estate described herein includes all improvements, fixtures, and appurtenances, if any.

3. appurtenances. apparatus; equipment:

   I dislike those workout programs that insist on tons of specialized appurtenances and instruction.

4. belonging, possession, relationship, or origin, or an affix that expresses this:

   The -i in Israeli is a suffix of appurtenance.

   The ethnic appurtenance of job applicants is private information.

appurtenance

/ əˈpɜːtɪnəns /

noun

1. a secondary or less significant thing or part
2. plural accessories or equipment
3. property law a minor right, interest, or privilege which passes when the title to the principal property is transferred

Word History and Origins

Origin of appurtenance¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English apurtenance, apertinaunce, from Anglo-French apurtenance, from Late Latin appertinentia, derivative of appertinēre “to belong to, pertain” equivalent to ap- + -tinēre; ap- ¹, pertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of appurtenance¹

C14: from Anglo-French apurtenance, from Old French apartenance, from apartenir to appertain

Example Sentences

Appurtenance, ap-pur′ten-ans, n. that which appertains to: an appendage or accessory: (law) a right belonging to a property.

From Project Gutenberg

The Zulus hold that a dead body can cast no shadow, because that appurtenance departed from it at the close of life.

From Project Gutenberg

Pale sunlight flooded the square, white room where, in all its dignified complexity of appurtenance, the simple meal was laid out.

From Project Gutenberg

Curious wooden slat dance appurtenance made to represent lightning and its motions.

From Project Gutenberg

The two had a simultaneous birth, but it was an appurtenance of the latter that marked the distinction and gave the names.

From Project Gutenberg