1. An approximate content addressable apparatus comprising: storage means for storing indicators for a plurality of data segments, each data segment therein having a plurality of addressable data elements, each indicator being stored at an address indicative of the identity and position of the data element within its associated data segment; means for sequentially accessing said indicators for a plurality of selected data elements from said storage means, a selected pattern of said plurality of selected data elements forming a selected data segment, said accessing being displaced in time or location in accordance with said selected data element pattern for said selected data segment so that if said selected data segment is stored in said storage means, all of its selected indicators in said plurality thereof will be accessed in parallel; and means for assigning a value indicating deviation from said parallel access for each selected data element in said plurality thereof and for totalling said values to generate a total value indicative of the approximateness of each stored data segment in said plurality thereof with said selected data segment.