释义 |
in·stru·ment I. \ˈinztrəmənt, ˈin(t)strə-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Latin instrumentum, from instruere to construct, equip, arrange, instruct + -mentum -ment 1. a. : a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered < the modern university is the instrument for preserving, enlarging, and disseminating our ever-increasing body of knowledge — Harlan Hatcher > b. : a person or group made use of by another as a means or aid : dupe, tool < suspecting … that I only wished to make an instrument of him — W.H.Hudson †1922 > 2. : utensil, implement < surgical instruments > < instruments of torture > 3. : an implement used to produce music especially as distinguished from the human voice — see percussion instrument, stringed instrument, wind instrument 4. obsolete : an organ of the body 5. a. : a legal document (as a deed, will, bond, lease, agreement, mortgage, note, power of attorney, ticket on carrier, bill of lading, insurance policy, warrant, writ) evidencing legal rights or duties especially of one party to another b. : something capable of being presented as evidence to a court for inspection c. : an act recorded in writing by a notary : a notarial act 6. a. : a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation; broadly : a device (as for controlling, recording, regulating, computing) that functions on data obtained by such a measuring device b. : an electrical or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane; specifically : such a device used as the sole means of navigating when there is limited or no visibility Synonyms: see implement, mean • - on instruments II. \-ˌment, -_mənt — see -ment II\ transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) 1. : to address a legal instrument (as a petition) to 2. : to prepare or score for one or more musical instruments < instrument a sonata for orchestra > : orchestrate 3. : to equip (as a process, machine, or vehicle) with instruments < the whole factory is well instrumented — Farm Chemicals > < an instrumented satellite > |