Apparatus
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.
any complex instrument or mechanism for a particular purpose.
any system or systematic organization of activities, functions, processes, etc., directed toward a specific goal:
the apparatus of government; espionage apparatus.
Physiology. a group of structurally different organs working together in the performance of a particular function:
the digestive apparatus.
Contemporary Examples
But for a potential presidential candidate to have no apparatus for massaging the media is remarkable.
Sarah Palin’s Enforcer Howard Kurtz January 18, 2011
The apparatus works its mayhem sprinkled with the Holy Water of transparency and consequences.
Toyota’s a Victim, Not a Villain Eric Dezenhall February 12, 2011
Another had “cages, whips, and other apparatus hanging from the ceiling.”
What Happened Since Marjorie Died Timothy Noah November 12, 2008
It is difficult to have perspective on a problem when you have been personally part of the apparatus.
Past Scott Walker: Fight Crosses Party Lines as California Voters Back Pension Reforms John Avlon June 6, 2012
Safety officials believe it snapped, sending both acrobats and apparatus hurtling 25 to 40 feet to the floor.
Thrills and Too Many Spills: The Dangers of the Circus Marina Watts May 4, 2014
Historical Examples
He thanked heaven for that as he tore away a boardlike piece of apparatus and jammed it over the leak in the jar.
Astounding Stories, February, 1931 Various
With this apparatus the message was registered at the rate of six words a minute.
Heroes of the Telegraph J. Munro
The pieces of apparatus were finished and, after paying for them Mark put the parts in the valise.
Under the Ocean to the South Pole Roy Rockwood
But the apparatus failed as a practical means of talking to a distance.
Heroes of the Telegraph J. Munro
This and several other properties of conducting gas may readily be proved by the aid of the apparatus represented in fig. 5.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 8 Various
noun (pl) -ratus, -ratuses
a collection of instruments, machines, tools, parts, or other equipment used for a particular purpose
a machine having a specific function: breathing apparatus
the means by which something operates; organization: the apparatus of government
(anatomy) any group of organs having a specific function
n.
1620s, from Latin apparatus “tools, implements, equipment; preparation, a preparing,” noun of state from past participle stem of apparare “prepare,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + parare “make ready” (see pare).
apparatus ap·pa·ra·tus (āp’ə-rā’təs, -rāt’əs)
n. pl. apparatus or ap·pa·ra·tus·es
An integrated group of materials or devices used for a particular purpose.
A group or system of organs that collectively performs a specific function or process.
Read Also:
- Apparatus criticus
supplementary information, as variant readings, added to a text to provide material for study or criticism. Historical Examples It corrects details and adds a mass of apparatus criticus equal in bulk to the whole original work, but supplies no new ideas. The Evolution of States J. M. Robertson The apparatus criticus was a triumph of […]
- Apparel
clothing, especially outerwear; garments; attire; raiment. anything that decorates or covers. superficial appearance; aspect; guise. Nautical. the masts, sails, anchor, etc., used to equip a vessel. Ecclesiastical. a piece of embroidery, usually oblong, on certain vestments, especially on the alb or amice. to dress or clothe. to adorn; ornament. Nautical. to equip (a vessel) with […]
- Apparelled
clothing, especially outerwear; garments; attire; raiment. anything that decorates or covers. superficial appearance; aspect; guise. Nautical. the masts, sails, anchor, etc., used to equip a vessel. Ecclesiastical. a piece of embroidery, usually oblong, on certain vestments, especially on the alb or amice. to dress or clothe. to adorn; ornament. Nautical. to equip (a vessel) with […]
- Apparent candlepower
a measure of the luminous intensity of an extended source of light in terms of the candlepower of a point source of light that has an equivalent luminous intensity when placed at the same distance as the extended source.
- Apparent
readily seen; exposed to sight; open to view; visible: The crack in the wall was readily apparent. capable of being easily perceived or understood; plain or clear; obvious: The solution to the problem was apparent to all. according to appearances, initial evidence, incomplete results, etc.; ostensible rather than actual: He was the apparent winner of […]