The word 装置 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core idea to create a new, unified concept. The first character, 装 (zhuāng), fundamentally means "to install", "to load", or "to outfit". The second character, 置 (zhì), means "to place", "to set up", or "to position". When fused, the compound 装置 conceptually merges the action of installing and outfitting with the action of placing and setting in position, ultimately arriving at the meaning of a "device", "apparatus", or "installation", that is, a physical unit or system that has been constructed, assembled, and set into place to serve a specific function.