instrument

noun instruments

1. A device used to produce music. The violinist was a master of her instrument.
2. A means or agency for achieving an aspect. “There the cause of death was soon ascertained ; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom. […]”
3. A measuring or displaying device. The instrument detected an increase in radioactivity.
4. A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement. The dentist set down his tray of instruments.
5. abbreviation, ellipsis, plural normally Ellipsis of flight instrument Flight within clouds must be made by reference to your instruments.
6. A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will, or any of a class of negotiable ones (which can be exchanged for value or money). A bond indenture is the instrument that gives a bond its value.
7. figuratively A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal. Or useful serving man and instrument, / To any sovereign state.

Similar: implement, instrument, machine, tool, utensil

verb instruments · instrumenting · instrumented

1. transitive To apply measuring devices. an instrumented test article

   Similar: measure, supervise

2. transitive To devise, conceive, cook up, plan. When the Lit. Mongers deign to notice his work, they dismiss him as a "cult writer," another of their standard ploys. Purdy, not really bitter at the instrumented silence and sneers of the bookchat legions, […]
3. To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument. a sonata instrumented for orchestra

   Similar: play, arrange