Dictionary-Definition.com :: Instrument definition

Definition of 'instrument'

noun

A device that requires skill for proper use

noun

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]

noun

A person used by another to gain an end [syn: instrument, pawn, cat's-paw]

noun

(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right [syn: legal document, legal instrument, official document, instrument]

noun

The semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process [syn: instrumental role, instrument]

noun

Any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds [syn: musical instrument, instrument]

verb

Equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling

verb

Write an instrumental score for [syn: instrument, instrumentate]

verb

Address a legal document to

Definition of 'Instrument'

From: GCIDE

Instrument \In"stru*ment\, n. [F. instrument, L. instrumentum. See Instruct.] [1913 Webster]
1. That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; a device; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments. [1913 Webster]
All the lofty instruments of war. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a musical instrument. [1913 Webster]
Praise him with stringed instruments and organs. --Ps. cl. 4. [1913 Webster]
But signs when songs and instruments he hears. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
4. One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent; as, their army was primarily an instrument of oppression. [1913 Webster +PJC]
Or useful serving man and instrument, To any sovereign state. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The bold are but the instruments of the wise. --Dryden.
Syn: Tool; implement; utensil; machine; apparatus; channel; agent. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Instrument'

From: GCIDE

Instrument \In"stru*ment\, v. t.
1. To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra. [1913 Webster]
2. To furnish or equip with instruments; to attach instruments to; as, the fighter planes were heavily instrumented; the patient was instrumented to monitor him remotely. [PJC]

Synonyms of 'instrument'

From: Moby Thesaurus

absolute altimeter,
accelerometer,
adapt,
aerial reconnaissance camera,
aerometer,
aeroscope,
agency,
agent,
air log,
alloy balance,
altigraph,
altimeter,
amanuensis,
ammeter,
analytical balance,
ancilla,
anemograph,
anemometer,
anemoscope,
aneroid,
antler,
apparatus,
apple-polisher,
appliance,
arrange,
aspirator,
ass-licker,
assay balance,
autograph,
automatic pilot,
autosyn,
awl,
backslapper,
baggage agent,
balance,
balance of precision,
barb,
barbed wire,
barblet,
barbule,
barbwire,
barometer,
barrel scale,
beam,
bedpan,
blank,
bodkin,
bombing locator,
bombsight,
bootlick,
bootlicker,
Bourdon tube,
bradawl,
brown-nose,
brownie,
bullion balance,
business agent,
calorimeter,
caltrop,
card compass,
carpet tack,
cash register,
catalyst,
catheter,
channel,
Charlie McCarthy,
cheval-de-frise,
chirograph,
chromatoscope,
chronograph,
chronometer,
chuck,
claim agent,
clamp,
clasp,
clawback,
clerk,
clinch,
clinical thermometer,
clip,
cockspur,
commercial agent,
commission agent,
compact,
compass,
compose,
consignee,
contract,
contraption,
contrivance,
control rod,
counter scale,
courtier,
cramp,
creature,
cringer,
customer agent,
cylinder scale,
Danish balance,
device,
diathermy machine,
dibble,
direction finder,
docket,
document,
dog,
dossier,
drain,
drum scale,
dummy,
dupe,
electrocardiograph,
electroencephalograph,
electrograph,
equipment,
evaporimeter,
facsimile telegraph,
factor,
fan scale,
fawner,
fed,
Federal,
federal agent,
fid,
file,
fishhook,
flatterer,
flexure plate scale,
flight recorder,
flunky,
footlicker,
forceps,
fork,
form,
freight agent,
functionary,
gadget,
gaff,
galvanometer,
gauge,
gauger,
gear,
general agent,
gimcrack,
gimlet,
gimmick,
gizmo,
go-between,
goad,
goniometer,
gosport,
gosport tube,
grab,
Gramophone,
grapnel,
grapple,
grappler,
grappling iron,
grip,
groveler,
gyrocompass,
Gyropilot,
hand tool,
handmaid,
handmaiden,
handshaker,
harmonize,
harpoon,
hat pin,
heat lamp,
helot,
hemostat,
holdfast,
holograph,
hook,
horn,
hub dynamometer,
hygrograph,
hygrometer,
hypo,
hypodermic,
hypodermic needle,
hypsometer,
icepick,
implement,
inclinometer,
induction compass,
instrumentality,
instrumentate,
instrumentation,
insurance agent,
interagent,
intermediary,
intermediate,
intermedium,
jackal,
jaws,
joy stick,
kaleidoscope,
kowtower,
kymograph,
lackey,
lance,
lancet,
land agent,
laser,
law agent,
led captain,
legal document,
legal instrument,
legal paper,
lever,
lever scales,
lickspit,
lickspittle,
literary agent,
loan agent,
long-arm balance,
Mach meter,
machine,
machinery,
magnetic compass,
make an adaptation,
manometer,
marlinespike,
mealymouth,
mean,
means,
measure,
measurer,
mechanical device,
mechanical heart,
mechanism,
mechanize,
mediator,
medium,
melodize,
meteorograph,
meter,
microfilm reader,
micrometer,
microscope,
midwife,
mill,
minion,
ministry,
motorize,
musicalize,
nail,
needle,
news agent,
nippers,
octant,
official,
official document,
optical altimeter,
orchestrate,
organ,
oscillograph,
otoscope,
oxgoad,
ozonometer,
pact,
pair of scales,
paper,
paper clip,
papers,
paraphernalia,
parchment,
pari-mutuel,
pari-mutuel machine,
parliamentary agent,
passenger agent,
pawn,
peon,
personal file,
photometer,
pike,
pin,
pincers,
pitchfork,
pitot-static tube,
plate fulcrum scale,
platform scale,
plaything,
pliers,
pluviograph,
pluviometer,
pneumatograph,
pneumatometer,
potentiometer,
power tool,
precision balance,
precision scale,
precision tool,
press agent,
prime mover,
prism,
probe,
prong,
punch,
puppet,
purchasing agent,
pus basin,
put to music,
pyrometer,
quadrant,
quill,
radar,
radio,
radio compass,
radio direction finder,
radiogoniometer,
range finder,
rate-of-climb indicator,
real estate agent,
recording barometer,
recording hygrometer,
register,
retool,
robot pilot,
roll,
Roman balance,
rowel,
sales agent,
scale,
scales,
scalpel,
score,
scrip,
script,
scroll,
secretary,
seismograph,
seismoscope,
serf,
servant,
set,
set to music,
sextant,
sharpen,
short-arm balance,
skewer,
slave,
sound,
sound recorder,
spaniel,
spearhead,
special agent,
spectrograph,
spectrohelioscope,
spectroscope,
speculum,
speed tool,
spicule,
spiculum,
spike,
spine,
spiral balance,
spirit level,
spirometer,
spit,
splint,
spur,
staple,
static tube,
station agent,
stereopticon,
stethoscope,
steward,
sting,
stooge,
strike radar scanner,
suck,
sun compass,
suture,
swab,
sycophant,
syringe,
tachometer,
tack,
tackle,
tang,
tape recorder,
Teletype,
teletypewriter,
telltale,
theatrical agent,
thermograph,
thermometer,
thermometrograph,
thermostat,
thingumabob,
thingumajig,
thingummy,
throttle,
thumbtack,
ticker,
ticket agent,
timeserver,
tine,
toad,
toady,
tongs,
tool,
toy,
transcribe,
transit instrument,
transpose,
travel agent,
trepan,
trephine,
truckler,
tufthunter,
turnstile,
tweezers,
utensil,
variometer,
vehicle,
venturi tube,
viewer,
viscosimeter,
vise,
voting machine,
walking delegate,
way,
weigh scales,
weighbridge,
weighing machine,
weight voltameter,
Weightometer,
whatnot,
wherewithal,
wrench,
writ,
write,
writing,
X-ray machine,
yes-man,
yoke

'Instrument' definitions:

Definition of 'instrument'

Definition of 'Instrument'

Definition of 'Instrument'

Synonyms of 'instrument'

Words containing 'Instrument'