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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary in·stru·ment
ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin instrumentum, from instruere to arrange, instruct DATE 14th century 1. a device used to produce music; also : a singing voice 2. a. a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered b. one used by another as a means or aid : dupe , tool 3. implement ; especially : one designed for precision work4. a formal legal document (as a deed, bond, or agreement) 5. a. a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation b. an electrical or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane; especially : such a device used as the sole means of navigating Synonyms: see implement
DATE 1752 1. to address a legal instrument to 2. to score for musical performance : orchestrate 3. to equip with instruments especially for measuring and recording data an instrumented spacecraft English Etymology instrument late 13c., "musical instrument," from O.Fr . instrument, from L.instrumentem "a tool, apparatus, furniture, dress, document," from instruere "arrange, furnish" (see instruct). Broader sense of "that which is used as an agent in an performance" is from mid-14c. Instrumental "musical composition for instruments without vocals" is from 1940.http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ instrument in·stru·ment / 5instrEmEnt / noun1. a tool or device used for a particular task, especially for delicate or scientific work 器械；仪器；器具: surgical / optical / precision, etc. instruments 外科器械；光学、精密等仪器 instruments of torture 刑具 2. = musical instrument : Is he learning an instrument? 他在学习演奏乐器吗？ brass / stringed, etc. instruments 铜管乐器、弦乐器等 3. a device used for measuring speed, distance, temperature, etc. in a vehicle or on a piece of machinery (车辆、机器的)仪器,仪表: the flight instruments 飞行仪表 the instrument panel 仪表盘 4. ~ of / for sth (formal) something that is used by sb in order to achieve sth; a person or thing that makes sth happen 促成某事的人(或事物)；手段: The law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters. 法律并不是处理家庭问题的最佳方法。 an instrument of change 促成变革的措施 5. ~ of sb / sth (formal) a person who is used and controlled by sb / sth that is more powerful 受利用(或控制)的人；工具: an instrument of fate 受命运摆布的人 6. (law 律) a formal legal document 文据；正式法律文件 Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English instrument noun 1 tool for a particular task ADJ. precision | sophisticated | reliable | crude | blunt The autopsy revealed that the deceased had been hit with a blunt instrument. (figurative) Even though it was a somewhat blunt instrument (= not very precise), our questionnaire provided us with some interesting ideas. | sharp | small | delicate | appropriate | research | drawing, measuring, writing | astronomical, flight, flying, mathematical, medical, navigation, navigational, optical, scientific, surgical | cockpit QUANT. set a set of mathematical instruments VERB + INSTRUMENT use All pupils should learn to use drawing instruments. | check, read to read the instruments and make a note of the wind speed and direction | design, develop, devise, invent | build, make All the instruments are made from glass capillary tubing. INSTRUMENT + VERB measure sth an instrument that measures light intensity INSTRUMENT + NOUN check The pilot did his instrument checks and taxied towards the runway. | maker | panel There was a warning light flashing on the instrument panel. PHRASES an instrument of torture medieval instruments of torture such as the rack and the wheel 2 for playing music ADJ. musical | beautiful, fine | classical | modern | period baroque music played on period instruments | solo | orchestral | brass, keyboard, percussion, string/stringed, wind, woodwind | acoustic, electric, electronic VERB + INSTRUMENT play (on) She plays three musical instruments. The score was written to be played on a keyboard instrument. | learn, learn (how) to play | tune Ensure the instrument is tuned to concert pitch. | make an instrument made by a woman guitar maker in Canada INSTRUMENT + VERB sound The instrument sounds like a cello. INSTRUMENT + NOUN maker • Special page at Special page-MUSIC 3 sb/sth used to make sth happen ADJ. chief, key, main, major, prime, principal | good, great They agreed that the UN was the best instrument for reaching agreement. | ideal | important, valuable | powerful | useful | effective | flexible | mere Some cynics say that sport is a mere instrument of capitalist domination. | chosen The despot claimed to be the chosen instrument of divine providence. | divine | political VERB + INSTRUMENT perceive sb/sth as, regard sb/sth as, see sb/sth as, view sb/sth as They saw criminal law as an instrument for improving public morals. | use sb/sth as | make sb/sth PREP. ~ for Criminal law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters. | ~ of She was accused of making a public service an instrument of private advantage. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition n. Function: noun 1 Synonyms: MEAN 2, agency, agent, channel, instrumentality, instrumentation, medium, ministry, organ, vehicle 2 Synonyms: IMPLEMENT , tool, utensil Related Words: equipment, gear, machinery, paraphernalia, tackle Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged in·stru·ment 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 > |
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