ap ‧ pa ‧ ra ‧ tus /ˌæpəˈreɪtəs $ -ˈræ-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of apparare 'to prepare' , from ad- 'to' + parare 'to prepare' ]
1 . [uncountable] the set of tools and machines that you use for a particular scientific, medical, or technical purpose SYN equipment :
Astronauts have special breathing apparatus.
2 . [countable] the way in which a lot of people are organized to work together to do a job or control a company or country SYN machinery :
The tax will require a massive administrative apparatus.
The state apparatus has become corrupt.
the apparatus of government
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THESAURUS
▪ equipment noun [uncountable] the machines, tools, or objects that you use for doing something:
All the camping equipment is in the garage.
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You’ll do a better job if you have the right equipment.
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We are raising money for equipment for our playgroup.
▪ gear noun [uncountable] informal equipment and clothes for an activity that you do in your spare time:
We loaded all our gear into the boat, and set off to go fishing.
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I’ve decided to sell my climbing gear.
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camping gear
▪ kit noun [countable] things for a particular purpose or activity, especially ones kept together in their own container:
You’ll find a hammer in my tool kit.
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Do you have a first aid kit?
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You can buy a special kit for damp-proofing your home.
▪ apparatus noun [uncountable] tools and machines used for scientific, medical, and technical purposes:
This experiment can be performed using the apparatus shown in the diagram.
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Astronauts have special breathing apparatus.
▪ stuff noun [uncountable] informal equipment that you use to do something:
The builders have left all their stuff round the back of the house.
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Where’s the decorating stuff?
▪ things noun [plural] informal especially British English the equipment or clothes that you need for a particular activity:
She went into the shed where her father kept his gardening things.
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They got all the Christmas things out of the loft.
▪ paraphernalia noun [uncountable] written a lot of small things that are used for a particular purpose:
All the paraphernalia for making tea and coffee stood on the bedside table.
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The police found drug paraphernalia all over the house.