Instrument1. (n.) That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments.
2. (n.) A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a musical instrument.
3. (n.) 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. (n.) One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent.
5. (v. t.) To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra.
Thesaurus Entries
Bourdon tube, Charlie McCarthy, Danish balance, Federal, Gramophone, Gyropilot, Mach meter, Roman balance, Teletype, Weightometer, X-ray machine, absolute altimeter, accelerometer, adapt, aerial reconnaissance camera, aerometer, aeroscope, agency, agent, air log, alloy balance, altigraph, altimeter, amanuensis, ammeter, analytical balance, ancilla, anemograph, anemometer, anemoscope, aneroid, antler, apparatus, apple-polisher, appliance, arrange, aspirator, ass-licker, assay balance, autograph, automatic pilot, autosyn, awl, backslapper, baggage agent, balance, balance of precision, barb, barbed wire, barblet, barbule, barbwire, barometer, barrel scale, beam, bedpan, blank, bodkin, bombing locator, bombsight, bootlick, bootlicker, bradawl, brown-nose, brownie, bullion balance, business agent, calorimeter, caltrop, card compass, carpet tack, cash register, catalyst, catheter, channel, cheval-de-frise, chirograph, chromatoscope, chronograph, chronometer, chuck, claim agent, clamp, clasp, clawback, clerk, clinch, clinical thermometer, clip, cockspur, commercial agent, commission agent, compact, compass, compose, consignee, contract, contraption, contrivance, control rod, counter scale, courtier, cramp, creature, cringer, customer agent, cylinder scale, device, diathermy machine, dibble, direction finder, docket, document, dog, dossier, drain, drum scale, dummy, dupe, electrocardiograph, electroencephalograph, electrograph, equipment, evaporimeter, facsimile telegraph, factor, fan scale, fawner, fed, federal agent, fid, file, fishhook, flatterer, flexure plate scale, flight recorder, flunky, footlicker, forceps, fork, form, freight agent, functionary, gadget, gaff, galvanometer, gauge, gauger, gear, general agent, gimcrack, gimlet, gimmick, gizmo, go-between, goad, goniometer, gosport, gosport tube, grab, grapnel, grapple, grappler, grappling iron, grip, groveler, gyrocompass, hand tool, handmaid, handmaiden, handshaker, harmonize, harpoon, hat pin, heat lamp, helot, hemostat, holdfast, holograph, hook, horn, hub dynamometer, hygrograph, hygrometer, hypo, hypodermic, hypodermic needle, hypsometer, icepick, implement, inclinometer, induction compass, instrumentality, instrumentate, instrumentation, insurance agent, interagent, intermediary, intermediate, intermedium, jackal, jaws, joy stick, kaleidoscope, kowtower, kymograph, lackey, lance, lancet, land agent, laser, law agent, led captain, legal document, legal instrument, legal paper, lever, lever scales, lickspit, lickspittle, literary agent, loan agent, long-arm balance, machine, machinery, magnetic compass, make an adaptation, manometer, marlinespike, mealymouth, mean, means, measure, measurer, mechanical device, mechanical heart, mechanism, mechanize, mediator, medium, melodize, meteorograph, meter, microfilm reader, micrometer, microscope, midwife, mill, minion, ministry, motorize, musicalize, nail, needle