Dictionary entry details
• INSTRUMENT (noun)
Meaning:
A device that requires skill for proper use
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("instrument" is a kind of...):
device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "instrument"):
analyser; analyzer (an instrument that performs analyses)
whip (an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash that is used for whipping)
arm; weapon; weapon system (any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting)
tracer (an instrument used to make tracings)
surveying instrument; surveyor's instrument (an instrument used by surveyors)
sonograph (an instrument that uses the differential transmission and reflection of ultrasonic waves in order to provide an image of a bodily organ)
scientific instrument (an instrument used by scientists)
plotter (an instrument (usually driven by a computer) for drawing graphs or pictures)
optical instrument (an instrument designed to aid vision)
navigational instrument (an instrument used for navigating)
cauterant; cautery (an instrument or substance used to destroy tissue for medical reasons (eg removal of a wart) by burning it with a hot iron or an electric current or a caustic or by freezing it)
drafting instrument (an instrument used by a draftsman in making drawings)
extractor (an instrument for extracting tight-fitting components)
instrument of execution (an instrument designed and used to take the life of a condemned person)
instrument of punishment (an instrument designed and used to punish a condemned person)
measuring device; measuring instrument; measuring system (instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something)
medical instrument (instrument used in the practice of medicine)
Meaning:
The means whereby some act is accomplished
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
instrument; tool
Context examples:
my greed was the instrument of my destruction / science has given us new tools to fight disease
Hypernyms ("instrument" is a kind of...):
agency; means; way (how a result is obtained or an end is achieved)
Meaning:
A person used by another to gain an end
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Synonyms:
cat's-paw; pawn; instrument
Hypernyms ("instrument" is a kind of...):
assistant; help; helper; supporter (a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose)
Meaning:
(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
official document; legal instrument; legal document; instrument
Hypernyms ("instrument" is a kind of...):
document; papers; written document (writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature))
Domain category:
jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "instrument"):
judgement; judgment; legal opinion; opinion (the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision)
letters patent; patent (an official document granting a right or privilege)
licence; license; permit (a legal document giving official permission to do something)
income tax return; return; tax return (document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability)
conveyance (document effecting a property transfer)
deed of trust; trust deed (a written instrument legally conveying property to a trustee often used to secure an obligation such as a mortgage or promissory note)
acquittance; release (a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation)
judicial writ; writ ((law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer)
authorisation; authorization; mandate (a document giving an official instruction or command)
affidavit (written declaration made under oath; a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally authorized to administer an oath)
written agreement (a legal document summarizing the agreement between parties)
bill of indictment; indictment (a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense)
impeachment (a formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office)
arraignment (a legal document calling someone to court to answer an indictment)
certificate; security (a formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends)
assignment (the instrument by which a claim or right or interest or property is transferred from one person to another)
deed; deed of conveyance; title (a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it)
living will (a document written by someone still legally capable requesting that they should be allowed to die if subsequently severely disabled or suffering terminal illness)
negotiable instrument (an unconditional order or promise to pay an amount of money)
passport (a document issued by a country to a citizen allowing that person to travel abroad and re-enter the home country)
ship's papers (official papers which a ship is legally required to have; related to ownership, cargo, etc.)
manifest (a customs document listing the contents put on a ship or plane)
debenture (a certificate or voucher acknowledging a debt)
power of attorney (a legal instrument authorizing someone to act as the grantor's agent)
letters of administration (legal document naming someone to administer an estate when no executor has been named)
letters testamentary (a legal document from a probate court or court officer informing you of your appointment as executor of a will and empowering you to discharge those responsibilities)
work papers; work permit; working papers (a legal document giving information required for employment of certain people in certain countries)
act; enactment (a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body)
law (legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity)
bill; measure (a statute in draft before it becomes law)
brief; legal brief (a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case)
testament; will (a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die)
derivative; derivative instrument (a financial instrument whose value is based on another security)
Meaning:
The semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
instrumental role; instrument
Hypernyms ("instrument" is a kind of...):
participant role; semantic role (an entity realized by a noun or noun phrase in a clause or sentence)
Meaning:
Any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
musical instrument; instrument
Hypernyms ("instrument" is a kind of...):
device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "instrument"):
wind; wind instrument (a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by an enclosed column of air that is moved by the breath)
stringed instrument (a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound)
percussion instrument; percussive instrument (a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another)
music box; musical box (produces music by means of pins on a revolving cylinder that strike the tuned teeth of a comb-like metal plate)
jew's harp; jews' harp; mouth bow (a small lyre-shaped musical instrument that is placed between the teeth and played by twanging a wire tongue while changing the shape of the mouth cavity)
electronic instrument (a musical instrument that generates sounds electronically)
celesta (a musical instrument consisting of graduated steel plates that are struck by hammers activated by a keyboard)
calliope; steam organ (a musical instrument consisting of a series of steam whistles played from a keyboard)
bass (the member with the lowest range of a family of musical instruments)
barrel organ; grind organ; hand organ; hurdy gurdy; hurdy-gurdy; street organ (a musical instrument that makes music by rotation of a cylinder studded with pegs)
• INSTRUMENT (verb)
Meaning:
Equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Hypernyms (to "instrument" is one way to...):
equip; fit; fit out; outfit (provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Meaning:
Write an instrumental score for
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Synonyms:
instrumentate; instrument
Hypernyms (to "instrument" is one way to...):
compose; write (write music)
Domain category:
euphony; music (any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Address a legal document to
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "instrument" is one way to...):
address; direct (put an address on (an envelope))
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
