instrument

Plural: instruments

Noun

• a device that requires skill for proper use
• the means whereby some act is accomplished
  • "my greed was the instrument of my destruction"
• a person used by another to gain an end
• (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
• the semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process
• any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds
• A device used to produce music.
• A means or agency for achieving an effect.
• A measuring or displaying device.
• A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.
• A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.
• Ellipsis of flight instrument.
• A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will.
• A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.

Verb

• equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling
• write an instrumental score for
• address a legal document to
• To apply measuring devices.
• To devise, conceive, cook up, plan.
• To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument.

Examples

• A bond indenture is the instrument that gives a bond its value.
• a sonata instrumented for orchestra
• an instrumented test article
• Flight within clouds must be made by reference to your instruments.
• Negotiable instruments are the foundation of the debt markets.
• The dentist set down his tray of instruments.
• The instrument detected an increase in radioactivity.
• The scientist recorded the temperature with a thermometer, but wished he had a more accurate instrument.
• The violinist was a master of her instrument.

Synonyms

cat's-paw, instrumental role, instrumentate, legal document, legal instrument, musical instrument, official document, pawn, tool, arrange, implement, instrument, machine, measure, play, supervise, utensil

Related Words

:Category:Tools, instrumental