n. | 1. | |
1. | That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; a device; | |
2. | A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; | |
3. | (Law) A writing, as the means of giving formal expression to some act; a writing expressive of some act, contract, process, as a deed, contract, writ, etc. | |
4. | One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent; | |
v. t. | 1. | To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; |
2. | To furnish or equip with instruments; to attach instruments to; |
Noun | 1. | instrument - a device that requires skill for proper use |
2. | instrument - the means whereby some act is accomplished; "my greed was the instrument of my destruction"; "science has given us new tools to fight disease" Synonyms: tool | |
3. | instrument - a person used by another to gain an end | |
4. | ![]() | |
5. | instrument - the semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process Synonyms: instrumental role | |
6. | ![]() Synonyms: musical instrument | |
Verb | 1. | instrument - equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling |
2. | instrument - write an instrumental score for Synonyms: instrumentate | |
3. | instrument - address a legal document to |
INSTRUMENT, contracts. The writing which contains some agreement, and is so called because it has been prepared as a memorial of what has taken place or been agreed upon. The agreement and the instrument in which it is contained are very different things, the latter being only evidence of the existence of the former. The instrument or form of the contract may be valid, but the contract itself may be void on account of fraud. Vide Ayl. Parerg. 305; Dunl. Ad. Pr. 220.
(programming) | instrument - To install devices or instructions into hardware or software to monitor the operation of a system or component. |