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   In·stru·ment

   /ˈinstrəmənt/

   

   noun

   • 1. a tool or implement, especially one for delicate or scientific work: "a surgical instrument" Similar implementtoolutensildeviceapparatuscontrivancegadgetcontraptionappliancemechanisminformal:gizmo
   • ▪ a thing used in pursuing an aim or policy; a means: "drama as an instrument of learning" Similar agentagencycatalystcausefactorchannelforcemediummeansmechanismvehicleorgan
   • ▪ a person who is exploited or made use of: "he was a mere instrument acting under coercion" Similar pawnpuppetcreaturedupehostagecountercogtoolcat's pawinformal:stooge
   • 2. a measuring device used to gauge the level, position, speed, etc. of something, especially a motor vehicle or aircraft: "a new instrument for measuring ozone levels" Similar measuring devicegaugemetermeasureindicatordialdisplay
   • 3. an object or device for producing musical sounds: "a percussion instrument"
   • 4. a formal document, especially a legal one: "execution involves signature and unconditional delivery of the instrument"

   verb

   • 1. equip (something) with measuring instruments: "engineers have instrumented rockets to study the upper atmosphere"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin instrumentum ‘equipment, implement’, from the verb instruere ‘construct, equip’.

   Scrabble Points: 12

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