instrument
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
instrument/ˈɪnstrəmənt/
▶noun
- 1 a tool or implement, especially for precision work.
- 2 a measuring device, especially in a vehicle or aircraft.
- 3 (also musical instrument) a device for producing musical sounds.
- 4 a means of pursuing an aim.
- 5 a person who is made use of.
- 6 a formal or legal document.
– origin ME: from OFr., or from L. instrumentum ‘equipment, implement’, from instruere ‘construct, equip’.
'instrument' also found in these Oxford entries:
ablative
- accelerometer
- accompaniment
- accordion
- actinometer
- aeolian harp
- aerophone
- agogo
- alpenhorn
- altazimuth
- althorn
- altimeter
- ammeter
- anemometer
- arco
- armillary sphere
- arthroscope
- artificial horizon
- aspirator
- astatic
- astrolabe
- bagpipe
- balalaika
- bandura
- banjo
- baritone
- barometer
- barré
- bassoon
- bathymeter
- bell
- belly
- bezel
- binoculars
- blow
- blunt instrument
- bolometer
- bombarde
- boot
- bougie
- bout
- bow
- brake
- branks
- brassy
- bridge
- bugle
- calibrate
- caliper
- calliope
