instrumental errors

1 definition found

instrumental errors - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Instrumental \In`stru*men"tal\, a. [Cf. F. instrumental.]
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     1. Acting as an instrument; serving as a means; contributing
        to promote; conductive; helpful; serviceable; as, he was
        instrumental in conducting the business.
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              The head is not more native to the heart,
              The hand more instrumental to the mouth. --Shak.
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     2. (Mus.) Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an
        instrument, esp. a musical instrument; as, instrumental
        music, distinguished from vocal music. "He defended the
        use of instrumental music in public worship." --Macaulay.
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              Sweet voices mix'd with instrumental sounds.
                                                    --Dryden.
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     3. (Gram.) Applied to a case expressing means or agency; as,
        the instrumental case. This is found in Sanskrit and
        Russian as a separate case, but in Greek it was merged
        into the dative, and in Latin into the ablative. In Old
        English it was a separate case, but has disappeared,
        leaving only a few anomalous forms.
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     Instrumental errors, those errors in instrumental
        measurements, etc., which arise, exclusively from lack of
        mathematical accuracy in an instrument.
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