apparatus

apparatus
/ap'euh rat"euhs, -ray"teuhs/, n., pl. apparatus, apparatuses.
1. a group or combination of instruments, machinery, tools, materials, etc., having a particular function or intended for a specific use: Our town has excellent fire-fighting apparatus.
2. any complex instrument or mechanism for a particular purpose.
3. any system or systematic organization of activities, functions, processes, etc., directed toward a specific goal: the apparatus of government; espionage apparatus.
4. Physiol. a group of structurally different organs working together in the performance of a particular function: the digestive apparatus.
[1620-30; < L apparatus equipment, orig. the act of equipping, preparation, equiv. to appara(re) to prepare (ap- AP-1 + parare; see PREPARE) + -tus suffix of v. action]
Syn. 2. machine, appliance, device, contraption, contrivance.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Apparatus — Apparatus, (Latin, apparātus ) is a mass noun used to describe equipment designed or assembled for a particular purpose. Examples include:* Fire apparatus * Equipment used in gymnastics * Kipp s apparatus * Golgi apparatus (also called a Golgi… …   Wikipedia

  • apparatus — [krit′i kəsap΄ə rat′əs, ap΄ərāt′əs] n. pl. apparatus or apparatuses [L, a making ready, preparation < apparare < ad , to + parare, PREPARE] 1. the instruments, materials, tools, etc. needed for a specific use 2. any complex device or… …   English World dictionary

  • Apparatus — Ap pa*ratus, n.; pl. {Apparatus}, also rarely {Apparatuses}. [L., from apparare, apparatum, to prepare; ad + prepare to make ready.] 1. Things provided as means to some end. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence: A full collection or set of implements, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Apparatus — Ap pa*ratus, n.; pl. {Apparatus}, also rarely {Apparatuses}. [L., from apparare, apparatum, to prepare; ad + prepare to make ready.] 1. Things provided as means to some end. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence: A full collection or set of implements, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • apparatus — index appliance, device (mechanism), equipment, expedient, facility (instrumentality), instrument ( …   Law dictionary

  • apparatus — (n.) 1620s, from L. apparatus tools, implements, equipment; preparation, a preparing, noun of state from pp. stem of apparare prepare, from ad to (see AD (Cf. ad )) + parare make ready (see PARE (Cf. pare)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • apparatus — [n1] equipment with a purpose accoutrement, appliance, black box*, contraption, device, dingbat, doodad*, doohickey*, furnishings, gaff*, gear, gimcrack*, gimmick, gizmo*, grabber*, habiliments, idiot box*, implement, jigger*, job*, machine,… …   New thesaurus

  • apparatus — ► NOUN (pl. apparatuses) 1) the equipment needed for a particular activity or purpose. 2) a complex structure within an organization: the apparatus of government. ORIGIN Latin, from apparare make ready for …   English terms dictionary

  • apparatus — 1 *equipment, gear, tackle, outfit, paraphernalia, machinery, materiel Analogous words: tool, *implement, utensil, instrument: network, *system, scheme 2 *machine, mechanism, machinery, engine, motor Analogous words: * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • apparatus — is normally pronounced with rat as in rate (not as in part). The plural is apparatuses …   Modern English usage

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