| instrument | | |
| n. (artifact) | 1. instrument | a device that requires skill for proper use. |
| ~ analyser, analyzer | an instrument that performs analyses. |
| ~ 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. |
| ~ device | an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose.; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water" |
| ~ drafting instrument | an instrument used by a draftsman in making drawings. |
| ~ engine | an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc..; "medieval engines of war" |
| ~ 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. |
| ~ navigational instrument | an instrument used for navigating. |
| ~ optical instrument | an instrument designed to aid vision. |
| ~ plotter | an instrument (usually driven by a computer) for drawing graphs or pictures. |
| ~ scientific instrument | an instrument used by scientists. |
| ~ sonograph | an instrument that uses the differential transmission and reflection of ultrasonic waves in order to provide an image of a bodily organ. |
| ~ surveying instrument, surveyor's instrument | an instrument used by surveyors. |
| ~ tracer | an instrument used to make tracings. |
| ~ weapon, weapon system, arm | any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting.; "he was licensed to carry a weapon" |
| ~ whip | an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash that is used for whipping. |
| n. (act) | 2. instrument, tool | the means whereby some act is accomplished.; "my greed was the instrument of my destruction"; "science has given us new tools to fight disease" |
| ~ means, way, agency | how a result is obtained or an end is achieved.; "a means of control"; "an example is the best agency of instruction"; "the true way to success" |
| n. (person) | 3. cat's-paw, instrument, pawn | a person used by another to gain an end. |
| ~ assistant, helper, help, supporter | a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose.; "my invaluable assistant"; "they hired additional help to finish the work" |
| n. (communication) | 4. instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document | (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right. |
| ~ document, papers, written document | writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature). |
| ~ articles of incorporation | a legal document that creates a corporation; it is filed with a state by the founders of a corporation and is governed by the laws of the state. |
| ~ derivative instrument, derivative | a financial instrument whose value is based on another security. |
| ~ 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.; "there is a law against kidnapping" |
| ~ bill, measure | a statute in draft before it becomes law.; "they held a public hearing on the bill" |
| ~ 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. |
| ~ living will | a document written by someone still legally capable requesting that he should be allowed to die if subsequently severely disabled or suffering terminal illness.; "after he discovered he had AIDS he drew up a living will" |
| ~ 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.; "he signed the deed"; "he kept the title to his car in the glove compartment" |
| ~ assignment | the instrument by which a claim or right or interest or property is transferred from one person to another. |
| ~ 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. |
| ~ conveyance | document effecting a property transfer. |
| ~ income tax return, return, tax return | document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability.; "his gross income was enough that he had to file a tax return" |
| ~ license, permit, licence | a legal document giving official permission to do something. |
| ~ letters patent, patent | an official document granting a right or privilege. |
| ~ judgement, legal opinion, opinion, judgment | the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision.; "opinions are usually written by a single judge" |
| ~ 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. |
| ~ law, jurisprudence | the collection of rules imposed by authority.; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" |
| ~ 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.; "he held several valuable securities" |
| n. (communication) | 5. instrument, instrumental role | the semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process. |
| ~ participant role, semantic role | (linguistics) the underlying relation that a constituent has with the main verb in a clause. |
| n. (artifact) | 6. instrument, musical instrument | any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds. |
| ~ 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. |
| ~ bass | the member with the lowest range of a family of musical instruments. |
| ~ steam organ, calliope | a musical instrument consisting of a series of steam whistles played from a keyboard. |
| ~ device | an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose.; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water" |
| ~ electronic instrument, electronic musical instrument | a musical instrument that generates sounds electronically. |
| ~ 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. |
| ~ keyboard instrument | a musical instrument that is played by means of a keyboard. |
| ~ 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. |
| ~ percussion instrument, percussive instrument | a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another. |
| ~ stringed instrument | a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound. |
| ~ wind instrument, wind | a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by an enclosed column of air that is moved by the breath. |
| v. (possession) | 7. instrument | equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling. |
| ~ equip, fit out, outfit, fit | provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose.; "The expedition was equipped with proper clothing, food, and other necessities" |
| v. (creation) | 8. instrument, instrumentate | write an instrumental score for. |
| ~ euphony, music | any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds.; "he fell asleep to the music of the wind chimes" |
| ~ compose, write | write music.; "Beethoven composed nine symphonies" |
| v. (communication) | 9. instrument | address a legal document to. |
| ~ address, direct | put an address on (an envelope). |
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