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paraphernalia


Meanings
  • noun

    Collective term for various equipment, accessories, or supplies used in connection with a particular activity or occupation.

    - "The paraphernalia needed for a laboratory experiment includes beakers, test tubes, and Bunsen burners."
    - "The drug dealer was caught with an array of paraphernalia used for packaging and selling illegal substances."

Rhymes
Words rhyming with paraphernalia
appliance , grapevine , apparatus , recluse , applaud
Variants
List of all variants of paraphernalia that leads to same result
drug paraphernalia , paraphernalia
Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally derived from the Latin word 'paraphernalia' meaning 'equipment, supplies', it was adopted into English in the 16th century.


Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word
  1. The term 'paraphernalia' is often used in legal contexts to refer to the items associated with an illegal activity.

  2. The term 'paraphernalia' is also used in the context of religious rituals and ceremonies.

  3. The term 'paraphernalia' has been used in various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, and video games, to refer to the items carried by characters or used in their quests or adventures.


Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to
  1. Equipment: Paraphernalia can be considered a type of equipment used in various contexts.

  2. Accessories: Paraphernalia often includes various accessories needed for a particular activity or occupation.

  3. Supplies: Paraphernalia can also refer to the necessary supplies for a specific task or hobby.


Quotes
Quotes by authors and personalities
  1. To an Englishman, accustomed to the "paraphernalia" of Westminster Hall, an American Court of Law is as odd a sight as, I suppose, an English Court of Law would be to an American. Except in the Supreme Court at Washington (where the judges wear a plain black robe), there is no such thing as a wig or gown connected with the administration of justice.

    - Charles Dickens,{it}American Notes{/it},1842
  2. Mind if we pick through your personal effects? The King of Scrounge, an American serviceman, has crammed his local apartment with enough salvaged "paraphernalia" to equip a battalion.

    - Garry Trudeau,{it}New York Times{/it},25 June 1991
  3. There were odd knickknacks (strange that the Hebrew naknik should mean sausage)— … shell ashtrays from Brighton, all my stepmother's "paraphernalia".

    - Anthony Burgess,{it}Wilson Quarterly{/it},Spring 1991

Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Paraphernalia holds significant cultural and historical importance in various contexts. For instance, in literature, it has been used to depict the excesses of the opium dens in 'The Den of Iniquity' by Edgar Allan Poe. In music, the term is used in the title of the iconic Pink Floyd album 'The Wall'. In art, it has been a common theme in still-life paintings, representing the vanity and materialism of the subjects.

How to Memorize "paraphernalia"

  1. visualize

    - Imagine a collection of various items used in an activity or occupation.
    - Visualize the items in a box or a bag.
    - Visualize the word 'paraphernalia' written in your mind.

  2. associate

    - Associate the word 'paraphernalia' with the image of a toolbox or a laboratory.
    - Link it to the concept of equipment or supplies used in an activity or occupation.
    - Connect it to the idea of accessories needed for a specific task.

  3. mnemonics

    - Create a memorable phrase such as 'Paraphernalia: Packing and Arranging Required Accessories for Necessary Activities in Laboratories'.
    - Use the acronym 'PARA' to remember the meaning: Paraphernalia Are Required Accessories.


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The best and recommended way to memorize paraphernalia is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

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