ac|com|plice

ac|com|plice «uh KOM plihs», noun.

1. a person who knowingly aids another in committing a crime or other wrong act: »

The thief had an accomplice who let him into the building. He was an accomplice in the murder of the German foreign minister (Harper's).

2. an associate.

╂[earlier a complice a confederate < Middle French complice, learned borrowing from Late Latin complex, -icis < Latin complicāre fold together < com- together + plicāre fold]

Synonym Study 1 Accomplice, confederate, accessory in technical (legal) use mean partner in crime. Accomplice applies to a person who deliberately gives help of any kind in connection with an unlawful act or crime, whether before, during, or after the act itself: »

Without an accomplice to open the door the thief could not have gotten into the building so easily.

Confederate applies to a person who joins with others, another, for the purpose of committing an unlawful act: »

The head of the smuggling ring has not been found, but his confederates are in jail.

Accessory applies to a person not present during a criminal act who aids in planning or executing it or who hides the criminal or helps him escape.