“instruments” is a form of
instrument
/ˈɪnstɹəmənt/ noun, verb
Forms instruments instrumenting instrumented
- noun A device used to produce music. “The violinist was a master of her instrument.”
- noun A means or agency for achieving an aspect.
- noun A measuring or displaying device. “The instrument detected an increase in radioactivity.”
- noun A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement. “The dentist set down his tray of instruments.”
- noun (law) A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will, or any of a class of negotiable ones (which can be exchanged for value or money). “A bond indenture is the instrument that gives a bond its value.”
- noun (figuratively) A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.
- verb (transitive) To apply measuring devices. “an instrumented test article”
- verb (transitive) To devise, conceive, cook up, plan.
- verb To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument. “a sonata instrumented for orchestra”
Synonyms
implement machine tool utensil measure supervise play arrange pawn cat's-paw legal document legal instrument official document instrumental role musical instrument instrumentate
Etymology
From Middle English instrument, from Old French instrument, from Latin īnstrūmentum (“an implement, tool”),
From īnstruō (“build, construct; arrange”) + -mentum.
Webster’s 1913
- noun 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.
- noun A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a musical instrument.
- verb To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra.
Etymology [F. instrument, L. instrumentum. See Instruct.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “instrument”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details