What’s a good synonym for "system", as in a set of things that can be combined?

Question

I am searching for a word which embodies the total of parts (things) which were designed to fit together. For example:

A screwdriver “kit” commonly contains a screwdriver handle and screwdriver bits, potentially drive guides, etc.

While the individual pieces might be called components or parts, how can we refer to the whole?

In the example I gave above, kit is already pretty good, but it is a little bit too physical and with too little emphasis on the ability to be compatible with each other.

Some ideas I’ve had so far:

• System — Too generic, fallback if nothing more specific comes along.
• Set — Too generic, contains a nuance less "intent" of being put together, but less ambiguous connotations when compared to system.
• School (as in school of thought) — A little bit too lofty or ephemeral. Too close to animals (school of fish)?
• Nomenclature — Would be ideal if there were such a thing as an *objeclature for objects rather than nouns. Brings together the notion of being intentionally designed or selected with the notion that it is more than two items.
• Accessories — Would be great if there were a primary item that stood out among the others. Yet, as with the screwdriver example, I want to include the screwdriver itself in the set.
• Component set — Wordy but otherwise pretty fitting.
• Assemblage — Sounds like the parts were already combined together rather than being bundled together for being assembled by the user.
• Series — Could be fitting, but has a strong temporal scent. Seems to indicate more than one in a line of things, not intended to complement/combine but to replace. Do you like our new Screwdriver Series X500?
• Array — Seems to implicate an individual number of items being positioned (that is, located) next to each other rather than the possibility of combining things.
• Collection — Good emphasis on being designed from a single hand (e.g., our collection of excellent wines), yet unclear on whether the individual pieces would blend or work together.

I could go on, but I hope you might have better ideas already.

If possible, the word should carry some connotations of:

1. The individual items being designed together.
2. The items go mechanically together.
3. The items belong to the same manufacturing process and level of quality.
4. The items being self-contained and needing no outside additions or extras.
5. The items being still separate and not assembled into a whole
6. The whole being of value (kit, for instance, sounds a little cheap).

Answer 1

How about set?

From Merriam-Webster:

set: a number of things of the same kind that belong or are used together

Set carries the following connotations specified by the OP:

• The individual items having been designed together
• The items fitting mechanically together
• The items belong to the same manufacturing process and level of quality
• The items being self-contained and needing no outside addition or extras
• The items being still separate and not assembled into a whole
• The whole being of value ("kit" for instance - sounds a little cheap)

Answer 2

How about ensemble ? While this often refers to a collection of clothing (in the sense of wardrobe, although that can also refer to the piece of furniture) in English, it also is used in statistical mechanics in the sense you describe. In French, it's meaning is much closer to what you want. And the pronunciations are almost the same.

Answer 3

Knock-down kit / knockdown kit / knocked-down kit , or simply knockdown

Wikipedia:

A knock-down kit is a kit containing the parts needed to assemble a product. The parts are typically manufactured in one country or region, then exported to another country or region for final assembly. Variant names include knockdown kit, knocked-down kit, or simply knockdown, and the abbreviated KD or CKD.

A common form of knock-down is a complete knock-down (CKD), which is a complete kit needed to assemble a product.

Answer 4

Assembly

Merriam-Webster:

6

a : the fitting together of manufactured parts into a complete machine, structure, or unit of a machine

b : a collection of parts so assembled

Say your car was damaged in a minor accident. The mechanic tells you it's not possible to buy the individual part to replace the headlight lens, or cover; you have to order the whole assembly (which includes the headlight and the indicator light and the cover).

You can also say

module

Think of the lunar module!

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Trying again.

Outfit

When you buy a trombone outfit, you get the trombone, the case (perhaps with backpack straps), and the care kit, which includes Pocket-Sized Spray Water Bottle, Slide Oil, Slide Cream, Flexible Cleaning Snake, Mouthpiece Brush and Polishing Cloth.

Answer 5

What about apparatus ?

It is a collection or combination of instruments, machinery, tools, parts or other equipment having a particular function or intended for a specific purpose.

Example:

Power transmission apparatus: all components of the mechanical system which transmit energy to the part of the machine performing the work. These components include flywheels, pulleys, belts, connecting rods, couplings, cams, spindles, chains, cranks, and gears.