instrumencyn.
/ˈɪnstrᵿm(ə)nsi/, U.S. /ˈɪnstrəmənsi/ rare.
The action or fact of serving as an instrument (instrument n. 3) or means; that which is done or effected by an instrument. Also: the quality or condition of being instrumental. Cf. instrumentality n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun]
ministration1495
moyena1578
ministry1581
agency1625
instrumentalness1632
instrumentality1646
instrumency1652
canal1722
instrumentation1841
1652 G. Strode tr. C. de Fonseca Θειον Ενωτικον: Disc. Holy Love xxxix. 247 Children are the gift and heritage of the Lord; but by the agency, and instrumency of the parents.
1675 A. Woodhead et al. Paraphr. St. Paul ii. 11 Deliverances..done by the instrumency of the Angels.
1758 Rev. Important Controv. conc. Miracles 47 The worship, which followed these miracles, and must always follow whatever are wrought by such instrumency.
1954 College Eng. 15 455/2 The catalytic and cohesive instrumency of language is even more important in the large industrial group.
1980 J. Ferguson Greek & Rom. Relig. viii. 177 Christianity began to spread outside the bounds of Judaism largely through the instrumency of one man, Paul of Tarsus.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1652