in|stru|ment

in|stru|ment
in|stru|ment «noun. IHN struh muhnt; verb. -mehnt», noun, verb.
–n.
1. a thing used to do something; tool or mechanical device: »

A forceps and a drill are two instruments used by dentists.

2. a device for producing musical sounds: »

wind instruments, stringed instruments. A violin, cello, and piano were the instruments in the trio.

3. a device for measuring, recording, or controlling. A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature. A compass and sextant are instruments of navigation.
4. Figurative. a thing with or by which something is done, or a person made use of by another; means»

The master criminal used many men and women as instruments in his crimes. The North Atlantic Pact was, he emphasized, not an instrument of aggression (London Times).

5. a formal legal document, such as a contract, deed, or grant.
–v.t.
to equip with instruments, especially for recording scientific data: »

Rockets can be instrumented to record observations in geomagnetism, cosmic rays, and other phenomena of the universe.

╂[< Latin īnstrumentum < īnstruere; see etym. under instruct (Cf. ↑instruct)]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • in|stru|ment|ed — «IHN struh MEHN tihd», adjective. equipped with instruments for guidance: »a fully instrumented missile …   Useful english dictionary

  • stru — ab·stru·si·ty; con·stru·a·ble; con·stru·al; de·stru·do; in·stru·men·tal·ism; in·stru·men·tal·i·ty; in·stru·men·tal·ize; in·stru·men·tar·ium; in·stru·men·ta·ry; in·stru·men·tate; in·stru·men·ta·tion; in·stru·men·ta·tor; in·stru·ment·man;… …   English syllables

  • ment — abate·ment; al·i·ment; ap·prove·ment; aug·ment; ce·ment; com·ment; com·part·ment; com·ple·ment; com·pli·ment; con·sign·ment; de·ment; de·part·ment; dis·place·ment; doc·u·ment; el·e·ment; en·ti·tle·ment; en·vi·ron·ment; es·tab·lish·ment;… …   English syllables

  • instrument — in·stru·ment …   English syllables

  • in — in·earth; in·ebri·a·tion; in·ebri·ety; in·ebri·ous; in·edible; in·ed·i·ta; in·edited; in·educabilia; in·educability; in·educable; in·education; in·ef·fa·bil·i·ty; in·ef·face·abil·i·ty; in·effaceable; in·effectuality; in·efficacious;… …   English syllables

  • Musikinstrument — Instrument * * * Mu|sik|in|stru|ment [mu zi:k|ɪnstrumɛnt], das; [e]s, e: Instrument, auf dem Musik gespielt wird: in der Musikschule können die Kinder die verschiedensten Instrumente ausprobieren. * * * Mu|sik|in|stru|ment auch:… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Holzblasinstrument — Holz|blas|in|stru|ment [ hɔlts̮bla:s|ɪnstrumɛnt], das; [e]s, e: Blasinstrument, das vorwiegend aus Holz gefertigt ist (z. B. Blockflöte, Klarinette, Querflöte, Saxofon). * * * Họlz|blas|in|stru|ment auch: Họlz|blas|ins|tru|ment auch:… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Schlaginstrument — Schlag|in|stru|ment [ ʃla:k|ɪnstrumɛnt], das; [e]s, e: Musikinstrument, bei dem die Töne (auf unterschiedliche Weise) durch Anschlagen hervorgebracht werden: ein Schlaginstrument spielen. * * * Schlag|in|stru|ment auch: Schlag|ins|tru|ment auch:… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Streichinstrument — Streich|in|stru|ment [ ʃtrai̮çh|ɪnstrumɛnt], das; [e]s, e: Musikinstrument, dessen Saiten durch Streichen mit einem Bogen zum Erklingen gebracht werden: Streichinstrumente sind viel schwerer zu spielen als Tasten oder Blasinstrumente. * * *… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Zupfinstrument — Zupf|in|stru|ment [ ts̮ʊpf̮|ɪnstrumɛnt], das; [e]s, e: Saiteninstrument, dessen Saiten durch Zupfen (3) zum Klingen gebracht werden: Gitarre, Laute, Mandoline und Zither sind Zupfinstrumente. * * * Zụpf|in|stru|ment auch: Zụpf|ins|tru|ment auch:… …   Universal-Lexikon

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