Adjacent Words

Instrument definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

IN'STRUMENT, n. [L. instrumentum, from instruo, to prepare; that which is prepared.]
1. A tool; that by which work is performed or any thing is effected; as a knife, a hammer, a saw, a plow, etc. Swords, muskets and cannon are instruments of destruction. A telescope is an astronomical instrument.
2. That which is subservient to the execution of a plan or purpose, or to the production of any effect; means used or contributing to an effect; applicable to persons or things. Bad men are often instruments of ruin to others. The distribution of the Scriptures may be the instrument of a vastly extensive reformation in morals and religion.
3. An artificial machine or body constructed for yielding harmonious sounds; as an organ, a harpsichord, a violin, or flute, etc., which are called musical instruments, or instruments of music.
4. In law, a writing containing the terms of a contract, as a deed of conveyance, a grant, a patent, an indenture, etc.; in general, a writing by which some fact is recorded for evidence, or some right conveyed.
5. A person who acts for another, or is employed by another for a special purpose, and if the purpose is dishonorable, the term implies degradation or meanness.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a device that requires skill for proper use
2: the means whereby some act is accomplished; "my greed was the instrument of my destruction"; "science has given us new tools to fight disease" [syn: instrument, tool]
3: a person used by another to gain an end [syn: instrument, pawn, cat's-paw]
4: (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right [syn: legal document, legal instrument, official document, instrument]
5: the semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process [syn: instrumental role, instrument]
6: any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds [syn: musical instrument, instrument] v
1: equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling
2: write an instrumental score for [syn: instrument, instrumentate]
3: address a legal document to

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin instrumentum, from instruere to arrange, instruct Date: 14th century 1. a device used to produce music; also a singing voice 2. a. a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered b. one used by another as a means or aid ; dupe, tool 3. implement; especially one designed for precision work 4. a formal legal document (as a deed, bond, or agreement) 5. a. a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation b. an electrical or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane; especially such a device used as the sole means of navigating Synonyms: see implement II. transitive verb Date: 1752 1. to address a legal instrument to 2. to score for musical performance ; orchestrate 3. to equip with instruments especially for measuring and recording data <an instrumented spacecraft>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 a tool or implement, esp. for delicate or scientific work. 2 (in full musical instrument) a device for producing musical sounds by vibration, wind, percussion, etc. 3 a a thing used in performing an action (the meeting was an instrument in his success). b a person made use of (is merely their instrument). 4 a measuring-device, esp. in an aeroplane, serving to determine its position in darkness etc. 5 a formal, esp. legal, document. --v.tr. 1 arrange (music) for instruments. 2 equip with instruments (for measuring, recording, controlling, etc.). Phrases and idioms: instrument board (or panel) a surface, esp. in a car or aeroplane, containing the dials etc. of measuring-devices. Etymology: ME f. OF instrument or L instrumentum (as INSTRUCT)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Instrument In"stru*ment, n. [F. instrument, L. instrumentum. See Instruct.] 1. That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments. All the lofty instruments of war. --Shak. 2. A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a musical instrument. Praise him with stringed instruments and organs. --Ps. cl. 4. But signs when songs and instruments he hears. --Dryden. 3. (Law) A writing, as the means of giving formal expression to some act; a writing expressive of some act, contract, process, as a deed, contract, writ, etc. --Burrill. 4. One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent. Or useful serving man and instrument, To any sovereign state. --Shak. The bold are but the instruments of the wise. --Dryden. Syn: Tool; implement; utensil; machine; apparatus; channel; agent.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Instrument In"stru*ment, v. t. To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(instruments) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. An instrument is a tool or device that is used to do a particular task, especially a scientific task. ...instruments for cleaning and polishing teeth... The environment itself will at the same time be measured by about 60 scientific instruments. N-COUNT: usu with supp 2. A musical instrument is an object such as a piano, guitar, or flute, which you play in order to produce music. Learning a musical instrument introduces a child to an understanding of music. N-COUNT: oft supp N 3. An instrument is a device that is used for making measurements of something such as speed, height, or sound, for example on a ship or plane or in a car. ...crucial instruments on the control panel. N-COUNT: oft supp N 4. Something that is an instrument for achieving a particular aim is used by people to achieve that aim. The veto has been a traditional instrument of diplomacy for centuries. N-COUNT: oft N of n 5. see also stringed instrument, wind instrument

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

in'-stroo-ment (keli; in Greek plural hopla, Ro 6:13): The word in the Old Testament is used for utensils for service, chiefly in connection with the sanctuary (compare Ex 25:9; Nu 4:12,26,32; 1Ki 19:21; 1Ch 9:29; 2Ch 4:16, the King James Version); for weapons of war (1Sa 8:12; 1Ch 12:33,17, etc.); notably for musical instruments. See MUSIC. The members of the body are described by Paul (Ro 6:13) as "instruments" to be used in the service of righteousness, as before they were in the service of unrighteousness.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Tool, implement, utensil. 2. Medium, agent, means. 3. Writing, document, charter, deed, indenture. 4. Musical instrument.

Moby Thesaurus

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wherewithal, wrench, writ, write, writing, yes-man, yoke