apparatus

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A complex machine or set of equipment built for a particular job.

   The lab was full of strange apparatus for measuring tiny electric currents.

2. 2
   noun

   The whole system of people and methods used to run something, especially in government or politics.

   The dictator controlled the entire state apparatus, from the police to the media.

3. 3
   noun

   A group of body parts that work together to do one thing.

   Smoking can seriously damage the body's breathing apparatus.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Apparatus was borrowed in the early 17th century from Latin, where it was related to apparare, “make ready for,” ultimately from parare, “make ready.”

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *perh₃-der. Latin parō Latin apparō Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Italic *-tus Latin -tus Latin apparātuslbor. English apparatus Learned borrowing from Latin apparātus. Doublet of apparat.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary