/ əˈpærəl; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
( especially NAmE ) clothing, when it is being sold in shops / stores :
The store sells women's and children's apparel.
2.
( old-fashioned or formal ) clothes, particularly those worn on a formal occasion :
lords and ladies in fine apparel
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a verb in the sense make ready or fit ; as a noun furnishings, equipment ): from Old French apareillier , based on Latin ad- to (expressing change) + par equal.