Webster's English Dictionary

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apparatus

ap.pa.ra.tus \.ap-*-'rat-*s, -'ra-t-\ n or apparatus or ap.pa.ra.tus.es [L, 
   fr. apparatus, pp. of apparare to prepare, fr. ad- + p] pl arare to prepare 
   - more at PARE 1a: a set of materials or equipment designed for a 
   particular use  1b: an instrument or appliance designed for a specific 
   operation  1c: a group of organs having a common function  2: the 
   functional machinery by means of which a systematized activity is ca rried 
   out; esp : the organization of a political party or an underground movement