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Contraption vs Apparatus - What's the difference?

contraption | apparatus |

As nouns the difference between contraption and apparatus

is that contraption is a machine that is complicated and precarious while apparatus is the entirety of means whereby a specific production is made existent or task accomplished.

contraption

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A machine that is complicated and precarious.
  • (figuratively, derogatory, or, ironic) Any object.
  • *

    • Synonyms

    * (mechanical device) contrivance, device, fandango, gadget, mechanism

    References

    apparatus

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • The entirety of means whereby a specific production is made existent or task accomplished.
  • A complex machine or instrument.
  • An assortment of tools or instruments.
  • A bureaucratic organization, especially one influenced by political patronage.
  • (firefighting) A vehicle used for emergency response.

    • Usage notes

    * Is occasionally used as an invariant plural: *: Look at all of those apparatus .

    Synonyms

    * (entirety of means) setup, mechanism, dynamic * (complex machine) instrument, machinery, device * (assortment of tools) tools, gear, equipment * (political patronage organization) machine

    Related terms

    * apparat