apparatus

Từ điển American Heritage Dictionary 4th

ap·pa·rat·us (ăp'ə-rătʹəs, -rāʹtəs)n. pl. apparatus or ap·pa·rat·us·es
1.
a. An appliance or device for a particular purpose:
an x-ray apparatus.
b. An integrated group of materials or devices used for a particular purpose:
dental apparatus.
See Synonyms at equipment.
2.
a. The totality of means by which a designated function is performed or a specific task executed, as in a system of government.
b. A political organization or an underground political movement. Also called apparat.
3. Physiology. A group or system of organs that collectively perform a specific function or process:
the respiratory apparatus; the digestive apparatus.
4. The critical and source material that accompanies an edition of a text. [Latin apparātus, preparation, from past participle of apparāre, to prepare : ad-, ad- + parāre, to prepare; See perə-¹ in Indo-European Roots.]