An accomplice is a person who helps or participates in a crime or wrongdoing. The term accomplice is often used in legal contexts, and it is important to understand its definition and meaning to fully comprehend its implications.
Definitions
An accomplice is defined as a person who assists or participates in a crime or wrongdoing. According to Black’s Law Dictionary, an accomplice is “one who knowingly, voluntarily, and with common intent with the principal offender, unites in the commission of a crime.”
Origin
The word “accomplice” has its roots in the French word “complice,” which means “partner in crime.” It was first used in English in the early 17th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of accomplice is consistent across different dictionaries. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an accomplice as “one associated with another in wrongdoing.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines an accomplice as “a person who helps another commit a crime.”
Associations
The term accomplice is often associated with criminal activity, as it describes a person who is involved in a crime or wrongdoing. It is also associated with the legal system, as accomplices can be charged and prosecuted for their involvement in a crime.
Synonyms
Synonyms for accomplice include partner in crime, collaborator, confederate, and accessory.
Antonyms
Antonyms for accomplice include bystander, witness, and victim.
The same root words
The word accomplice is derived from the French word “complice,” which has several related words in English, including comply, implication, and implicit.
Example Sentences
- The police arrested the bank robber and his accomplice.
- She was charged as an accomplice in the murder case.
- He refused to be an accomplice to his friend’s illegal activities.
- The witness testified that she saw the accused with his accomplice at the scene of the crime.
- The judge sentenced both the principal offender and his accomplice to prison.