accompany

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Related terms 1.3.2.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Old French accompaignier (“‘to associate with’”), from compaign, compain (“‘companion’”). See company.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /əˈkʌm.pə.ni/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Verb

to accompany (third-person singular simple present accompanies, present participle accompanying, simple past and past participle accompanied)

1. (intransitive, obsolete) To associate in a company; to keep company.

1. • (A date for this quote is being sought): Men say that they will drive away one another, … and not accompany together. — Holland

1. (intransitive, obsolete) To cohabit (with).

1. (intransitive, music) To perform an accompanying part or parts in a composition.

1. (transitive) To go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company with; to go along with.
   • He accompanied his speech with a bow.
   • (A date for this quote is being sought): The Persian dames, … / In sumptuous cars, accompanied his march. — Glover
   • 1581, Sir Philip Sidney, An Apology of Poetry, or a Defense of Poesy, Book I: They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.
   • 1979, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England: He was accompanied by two carts filled with wounded rebels.

1. (transitive, obsolete) To cohabit with.
2. (transitive, music) To perform an accompanying part next to another instrument.
   • The strings were accompanied by two woodwinds.

[edit] Synonyms

• (go with): attend, escort, go with

• We accompany those with whom we go as companions. The word imports an equality of station.
• We attend those whom we wait upon or follow. The word conveys an idea of subordination.
• We escort those whom we attend with a view to guard and protect.

  A gentleman accompanies a friend to some public place; he attends or escorts a lady.

[edit] Related terms

• accompaniment

[edit] Translations