also 6 accoustrament, 6–7 accustre-, accutre-, accoustrement. [a. mid. Fr. accoustrement (mod. accoutrement), n. of action f. accoustrer: see ACCOUTRE v. and -MENT.]
1. Apparel, outfit, equipment. Almost always in the pl., clothes, trappings, equipments. Milit. The equipments of a soldier other than arms and dress.
1549. Compl. of Scotl. (1872), vii. 68. The acoutrementis ande clethyng of this dolorus lady, vas ane syde mantil.
1586. Ferne, Blazon of Gentrie, 29. Let al men embrodure, depaint, engraue and stampe vpon their hanginges, walles, windowes, and other domesticall accoustrammentes these glorious and commendable ensignes.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., III. ii. 121. To me she’s married, not vnto my clothes: Could I repaire what she will weare in me, As I can change these poore accoutrements, ’Twere well for Kate, and better for my selfe. Ibid. (1600), A. Y. L., III. ii. 402. You are rather point deuice in your accoustrements.
1641. Sanderson, Serm., II. 6/1. What are all our crossings, and kneelings, and duckings? What surplice, and ring, and all those other rites and accoutrements that are used in or about the publick worship; but so many commandments of men?
1649. W. Blithe, Eng. Improver Impr. (1652), 195. Having his Plough and all its Accutrements compleated.
1751. Watts, Improv. Mind (1801), 365. Rich and glittering accoutrements wherewith the Church of Rome hath surrounded her devotions.
1813. Wellington, in Gurwood’s Desp., X. 495. In order to collect the wounded and their arms and accoutrements.
1831. Mrs. Jameson, Mem. Female Sovereigns, I. 166. The gorgeous accoutrements of the knights and their retainers, must have formed a moving scene of surpassing interest and magnificence.
1850. Merivale, Rom. under Emp., III. xxviii. 329. There was no camp filled with plate, jewels, and splendid accoutrements to be devoted to plunder.
1858. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt. Part., I. lxii. 241. Without sacrificing everything to the game of the war-contractor and the accoutrement-maker.
1870. Disraeli, Lothair, liv. 224. It was an animal of remarkable beauty and intelligence, perfectly aware, apparently, of the importance of its present trust, and proud of its rich accoutrements.
2. The process of accoutring or being accoutred.
1598. Shaks., Merry Wives, IV. ii. 5. Not onely in the simple office of loue, but in all the accustrement, complement and ceremony of it.
1850. Leitch, Müller’s Anc. Art, § 409. 552. Youthful representations, with slight indication of accoutrement.
