From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
equipment
n : an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a
service
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Equipment \E*quip"ment\, n. [Cf. F. ['e]quipement. See Equip.]
1. The act of equipping, or the state of being equipped, as
for a voyage or expedition. --Burke.
[1913 Webster]
The equipment of the fleet was hastened by De Witt.
--Hume.
[1913 Webster]
2. Whatever is used in equipping; necessaries for an
expedition or voyage; the collective designation for the
articles comprising an outfit; equipage; as, a railroad
equipment (locomotives, cars, etc.; for carrying on
business); horse equipments; infantry equipments; naval
equipments; laboratory equipments.
[1913 Webster]
Armed and dight,
In the equipments of a knight. --Longfellow.
[1913 Webster]