ancillary

 
Pronunciation: /anˈsɪləri/

adjective

  • providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, system, etc.: ancillary staff
  • in addition to something else, but not as important: paragraph 19 was merely ancillary to paragraph 16

noun (plural ancillaries)

  • a person whose work provides necessary support to the primary activities of an organization, system, etc.: the employment of specialist teachers and ancillaries
  • something which functions in a supplementary or supporting role: undergraduate courses of three main subjects with related ancillaries the system measures engine power at the flywheel with all ancillaries (fan, standard exhaust, etc.) connected

Origin:

mid 17th century: from Latin ancillaris, from ancilla 'maidservant'