INSTRUMENT


Meaning of INSTRUMENT in English

/in"streuh meuhnt/ , n.

1. a mechanical tool or implement, esp. one used for delicate or precision work: surgical instruments.

2. a contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds: a stringed instrument.

3. a means by which something is effected or done; agency: an instrument of government.

4. a device for measuring the present value of a quantity under observation.

5. a mechanical or electronic measuring device, esp. one used in navigation: landing a plane by instruments.

6. a formal legal document, as a draft or bond: negotiable instruments.

7. a person used by another merely as a means to some private end; tool or dupe.

v.t.

8. to equip with instruments, as a machine or manufacturing process: to instrument a space vehicle.

9. to arrange a composition for musical instruments; orchestrate.

[ 1250-1300; ME instrumentum equip-ment, equiv. to instru-, s. of instruere to equip (see INSTRUCT) + -mentum -MENT; see INSTRUCT ]

Syn. 1. See tool .

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .