- 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 cushio
- On the rocky island of Tungyin, 50 miles off the coast of Red China, is the headquarters of a little-known military unit called the Anti-Communist Salvation Army. The secret army, 30,000 strong, is Chiang Kai-shek's instrument for the long-
- 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.
- The scientist recorded the temperature with a thermometer, but wished he had a more accurate instrument.
- 5
A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.; Ellipsis of flight instrument.abbreviationalt-ofellipsis
- 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.
- Negotiable instruments are the foundation of the debt markets.
- 7
A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.figuratively
- Or useful serving man and instrument, / To any sovereign state.
- The bold are but the instruments o' the wise.
syn. implement · instrument · machine · tool · utensil