accomplice

First attested in the 1580s. From Middle English accomplice, from a complice, from Old French complice (“confederate”), from Latin complicare (“fold together”). The article a became part of the word, through the influence of the word accomplish.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əˈkɒm.plɪs/, /ə.ˈkʌm.plɪs/[1][2][3]
• (US) IPA^(key): /ə.ˈkɑm.pləs/, /ə.ˈkɑm.plɪs/

• Audio (UK)

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• Hyphenation: ac‧com‧plice

accomplice (plural accomplices)

1. (law) An associate in the commission of a crime; a participator in an offense, whether a principal or an accessory.
   • 1749, Samuel Johnson, Irene

     And thou, the curst accomplice of her treason, Declare thy message, and expect thy doom

   • 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis; John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Third Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: Printed for Jacob Tonson […], OCLC 80026745:

     suspected for accomplice to the fire

2. (rare) A cooperator.
   • 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act V, scene ii]:

     Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices!

• Followed by with or of before a person and by in or to (or sometimes of) before the crime; as, "A was an accomplice with B in the murder of C"; or, "D was an accomplice to murder".

• abettor, accessory, assistant, associate, confederate, coadjutor, ally, promoter; see abettor.

• accompliceship