apparatus

 
Pronunciation: /ˌapəˈreɪtəs/

noun (plural apparatuses)

  • 1 [mass noun] the technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose: firemen wearing breathing apparatus
  • 2the complex structure of a particular organization or system: the apparatus of government
  • 3 (also critical apparatus) a collection of notes, variant readings, and other matter accompanying a printed text: one thing about the book’s apparatus does irritate: the absence of an index of titles

Origin:

early 17th century: Latin, from apparare 'make ready for', from ad- 'towards' + parare 'make ready'

Spelling help

Remember that apparatus begins with appar-.

Spelling rule

Add -es to make the plural of words ending in -s: (apparatuses).