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.
Physiology. a group of structurally different organs working together in the performance of a particular function:
the digestive apparatus.
Origin
1620-30; < Latinapparātus equipment, orig. the act of equipping, preparation, equivalent to apparā(re) to prepare (ap-ap-1 + parāre; see prepare) + -tus suffix of v. action
They possess no nervous system or breathing apparatus, nor do they have limbs or the capacity to move.
The hook at the end of the stick was particularly well adapted to serve the purpose of a life-saving apparatus.
Now I want to know what a scholarly apparatus is.
The apparatus also makes use of a wide network of informers.
Scientists have reported that by bombarding a liquid with sound they were able to produce nuclear fusion in a tabletop apparatus.
Youngsters learn more when they design and build the apparatus they need for experiment.
Most of the complication comes in the footnotes, where both comment and critical apparatus are offered in abundance.
The only hope for workers is then to take control of the political apparatus.
Yet the pervasiveness and lack of accountability of the security apparatus has had a smothering effect.
And an effective intelligence apparatus would make all of them obsolete.
British Dictionary definitions for apparatus
apparatus
/ˌæpəˈreɪtəs; -ˈrɑːtəs; ˈæpəˌreɪtəs/
noun (pl) -ratus, -ratuses
1.
a collection of instruments, machines, tools, parts, or other equipment used for a particular purpose
2.
a machine having a specific function: breathing apparatus
3.
the means by which something operates; organization: the apparatus of government
4.
(anatomy) any group of organs having a specific function
Word Origin
C17: from Latin, from apparāre to make ready
Word Origin and History for apparatus
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 in Medicine
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.