semaphore vs apparatus

semaphore and apparatus both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
semaphore	Yes	No	Yes	No
apparatus	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, apparatus is a hypernym of semaphore; that is, apparatus is a word with a broader meaning than semaphore:

semaphore: an apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms
apparatus: equipment designed to serve a specific function

Other hypernyms of semaphore include setup.

semaphore (noun)	apparatus (noun)
an apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms	equipment designed to serve a specific function
	(anatomy) a group of body parts that work together to perform a given function

semaphore (verb)	apparatus (verb)
convey by semaphore, of information
send signals by or as if by semaphore