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instrument

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instrument

 

  4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Instrument  \In"stru*ment\,  v.  t. 
  To  perform  upon  an  instrument;  to  prepare  for  an  instrument; 
  as  a  sonata  instrumented  for  orchestra. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  instrument 
  n  1:  a  device  that  requires  skill  for  proper  use 
  2:  the  means  whereby  something  is  accomplished;  "my  greed  was 
  the  instrument  of  my  destruction"  or  "science  has  given  us 
  new  tools  to  fight  disease"  [syn:  {tool}] 
  3:  a  person  used  by  another  to  gain  an  end  [syn:  {pawn},  {cat's-paw}] 
  4:  a  document  that  states  some  contractual  relationship  or 
  grants  some  right  [syn:  {legal  document},  {legal 
  instrument},  {official  document}] 
  v  :  write  an  instrumental  score  for  [syn:  {instrumentate}] 
 
  From  The  Free  On-line  Dictionary  of  Computing  (13  Mar  01)  [foldoc]: 
 
  instrument 
 
    To  install  devices  or  instructions  into  hardware 
  or  software  to  monitor  the  operation  of  a  system  or  component. 
 
  (1996-05-22)




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