| 释义 |
instrumentality|ˌɪnstruːmənˈtælɪtɪ|
[f. as prec. + -ity.]
1. The quality or condition of being instrumental; the fact or function of serving or being used for the accomplishment of some purpose or end; agency.
1651Baxter Inf. Bapt. 332 They say Their own Faith is Physically the efficient instrumentall cause of their own forgiveness and justification; Yea that it is a Passive Reception of Christ himself (by the said Physicall instrumentality). 1692Ray Dissol. World iii. (1732) 9 By the Intervention and Instrumentality of second Causes. 1747Butler Serm. Ho. Lords Wks. 1874 II. 292 Civil government is that part of God's government..which he exercises by the instrumentality of men. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 254 An interest was established in the army by the instrumentality of Churchill.
2. with pl. That which serves or is employed for some purpose or end; a means, an agency.
a1677Hale Prim. Orig. Man. iv. ii. 295 God needed not the subsidiary Instrumentalities of Nature to compleat his Work. 1833I. Taylor Fanat. i. 11 The moral and intelligent instrumentality..is nothing else than the vital force which animates each single believer. 1838Gladstone State in Rel. Ch. iv. (L.), From that liability to abuse with which state power is charged, no human instrumentality is exempt. 1875Maine Hist. Inst. ix. 255 One of the most powerful instrumentalities in the historical transformation of the civilised world. |