apparatus

views updated Jun 11 2018

ap·pa·rat·us / ˌapəˈratəs; -ˈrātəs/ • n. (pl. -us·es) 1. the equipment needed for a particular activity or purpose: laboratory apparatus. ∎  the organs used to perform a particular bodily function: the specialized male and female sexual apparatus.2. a complex structure within an organization or system: the apparatus of government.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

apparatus

views updated May 18 2018

apparatus XVII. — L. apparātus, f. apparāre make ready, f. AP- + parāre PREPARE.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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