ins
tru
ment
Plural
instruments
1
an object or device used for producing music, such as a violin or a piano
An instrument is a tool or device used to produce musical sounds. It can be anything from a piano or guitar to a violin or drum. Instruments are designed to create specific types of sounds and tones, and they are classified into categories such as string, wind, percussion, and keyboard. Each type of instrument has its own method of sound production and plays a unique role in music.
- A harmonica is a small, portable instrument, making it popular among travelers.
- He cleaned and stored his instrument properly after each use to keep it in good condition.
- She practiced her instrument, the harp, every day to prepare for her recital.
- The violin is a difficult instrument to master, but it produces beautiful sounds.
- To play the flute, an instrument of the woodwind family, you need to master the art of breath control.
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2
a device or tool that requires specific knowledge on how to be used
- The scientist used a complex instrument to measure the chemical reactions accurately.
- Operating the medical instrument required special training to ensure proper use.
- The technician calibrated the instrument to ensure it provided precise measurements.
- The engineer demonstrated how to use the new instrument for the data analysis.
- The laboratory technician handled the delicate instrument with care to avoid any errors.
3
a means or tool by which something is achieved or accomplished
- The new policy was the instrument of change in the company's success.
- Education is often seen as an instrument for social mobility.
- The law became the instrument of justice in the case.
- The internet has become an instrument of communication.
- The pen is mightier than the sword, and in this case, it was the instrument of truth.
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4
a person used by another to achieve a goal or purpose, often without their full awareness
- He was merely an instrument in their scheme to gain power.
- The spy acted as an instrument of the government to gather intelligence.
- The politician was seen as an instrument of the party's agenda.
- She realized too late that she had been used as an instrument of manipulation.
- The hacker was an unwitting instrument in the cyberattack.
5
a legal document that states a contractual relationship or grants rights
- The lawyer prepared the legal instrument to finalize the property transfer.
- The will is a binding instrument that outlines the distribution of assets.
- The deed is an instrument of ownership.
- The contract serves as the instrument of agreement between the parties.
- The patent is an instrument of intellectual property rights.
6
the entity, typically inanimate, used by an agent to carry out an action or initiate a process
In semantics, an instrument refers to an entity or object that is used to achieve a specific purpose or perform an action. It often indicates the object that helps carry out an action described by a verb. For instance, in the sentence "She wrote the letter with a pen," the word "pen" serves as the instrument because it is the tool used for writing. Understanding instruments in this way helps clarify how actions are performed and what objects are involved in those actions.
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