I. ˈinztrəmənt, ˈin(t)strə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin instrumentum, from instruere to construct, equip, arrange, instruct + -mentum -ment
1.
a. : a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered
the modern university is the instrument for preserving, enlarging, and disseminating our ever-increasing body of knowledge — Harlan Hatcher
b. : a person or group made use of by another as a means or aid : dupe , tool
suspecting … that I only wished to make an instrument of him — W.H.Hudson †1922
2. : utensil , implement
surgical instruments
instruments of torture
3. : an implement used to produce music especially as distinguished from the human voice — see percussion instrument , stringed instrument , wind instrument
4. obsolete : an organ of the body
5.
a. : a legal document (as a deed, will, bond, lease, agreement, mortgage, note, power of attorney, ticket on carrier, bill of lading, insurance policy, warrant, writ) evidencing legal rights or duties especially of one party to another
b. : something capable of being presented as evidence to a court for inspection
c. : an act recorded in writing by a notary : a notarial act
6.
a. : a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation ; broadly : a device (as for controlling, recording, regulating, computing) that functions on data obtained by such a measuring device
b. : an electrical or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane ; specifically : such a device used as the sole means of navigating when there is limited or no visibility
Synonyms: see implement , mean
•
- on instruments
II. -ˌment, -_mənt — see -ment II transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to address a legal instrument (as a petition) to
2. : to prepare or score for one or more musical instruments
instrument a sonata for orchestra
: orchestrate
3. : to equip (as a process, machine, or vehicle) with instruments
the whole factory is well instrumented — Farm Chemicals
an instrumented satellite