instrument

instrument
noun
1 tool for a particular task
ADJECTIVE
precision, sensitive
sophisticated
reliable
crude
blunt

The autopsy revealed that the deceased had been hit with a blunt instrument.

Even though it was a somewhat blunt instrument (= not very precise), our questionnaire provided us with some interesting ideas.

sharp
small
delicate
appropriate
drawing, measuring, writing
astronomical, mathematical, medical, navigation, navigational, optical, scientific, surgical
cockpit, flight
… OF INSTRUMENTS
set

a set of mathematical instruments

VERB + INSTRUMENT
use

All students should learn to use drawing instruments.

check, read

to read the instruments and make a note of the wind speed and direction

design, develop, devise, invent
build, make

All the instruments are made from glass capillary tubing.

INSTRUMENT + VERB
measure sth

an instrument that measures light intensity

INSTRUMENT + NOUN
check

The pilot did his instrument checks in preparation for take-off.

maker
panel

There was a warning light flashing on the instrument panel.

PHRASES
an instrument of torture

medieval instruments of torture such as the rack and the wheel

2 for playing music
ADJECTIVE
musical
beautiful, fine
classical
modern
traditional
period

baroque music played on period instruments

solo
orchestral
brass, keyboard, percussion, string, stringed, wind, woodwind
acoustic, electric, electronic
VERB + INSTRUMENT
play

She plays three musical instruments.

learn, learn to play
tune
make

an instrument made by a violin maker in Canada

INSTRUMENT + VERB
sound

The instrument sounds like a cello.

INSTRUMENT + NOUN
maker
PREPOSITION
on an/the instrument

The piece can be played on a keyboard instrument.

3 sb/sth used to make sth happen
ADJECTIVE
chief, key, main, major, primary, principal
good, great

Internet polls are considered to be better instruments than telephone polls.

ideal
important, valuable
powerful
useful
effective

More effective instruments of oversight are needed.

flexible
mere

Some cynics say that popular music is a mere instrument of capitalist domination.

chosen

The despot claimed to be the chosen instrument of divine providence.

political
financial, legal
VERB + INSTRUMENT
regard sb/sth as, see sb/sth as, view sb/sth as

They saw criminal law as an instrument for improving public morals.

use sb/sth as
make sb/sth
PREPOSITION
instrument for

Criminal law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters.

instrument of

the use of language as an instrument of power and social control


Collocations dictionary. 2013.

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Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • instrument — [ ɛ̃strymɑ̃ ] n. m. • 1365; estrument v. 1119; lat. instrumentum « ce qui sert à équiper », de instruere → instruire I ♦ 1 ♦ Objet fabriqué servant à exécuter qqch., à faire une opération. REM. Instrument est plus général et moins concret que… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • instrument — in·stru·ment n 1: a means or implement by which something is achieved, performed, or furthered an instrument of crime 2: a document (as a deed, will, bond, note, certificate of deposit, insurance policy, warrant, or writ) evidencing rights or… …   Law dictionary

  • instrument — INSTRUMÉNT, instrumente, s.n. 1. Unealtă, aparat cu ajutorul căruia se efectuează o anumită operaţie. ♦ Aparat construit pentru a produce sunete muzicale. 2. fig. Persoană, forţă, lucru, fapt de care se serveşte cineva pentru atingerea unui scop …   Dicționar Român

  • instrument — INSTRUMENT. s. m. Outil, ce qui sert à l ouvrier, à l artisan pour faire manuellement quelque chose. Bon instrument. instrument necessaire. instrument de Chirurgie. instruments de Charpentier, de Maçon &c. un ouvrier fourni de tous ses… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Instrument — may refer to:* Instrument (film) * Instruments (band), a Canadian recording ensemble * Instruments (application), a performance visualizer;Types of instruments * Musical instrument, a device designed to produce music * Financial instrument, a… …   Wikipedia

  • Instrument — Instrument, und teils analog der Sammelbegriff Instrumentarium, steht: allgemein, im technischen und übertragenen Sinne, für ein Werkzeug für Musikinstrument, ein Gerät zur Erzeugung von Klängen für anzeigende Messgeräte, siehe Anzeige (Technik)… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Instrument — Sn std. (16. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus l. īnstrūmentum Gerät, Urkunde , Konkretum zu l. īnstrūere herrichten, ausrüsten , mit übertragener Bedeutung unterrichten (instruieren). Adjektiv: instrumental; Kollektivum: Instrumentarium.    Ebenso… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • Instrument — In stru*ment, n. [F. instrument, L. instrumentum. See {Instruct}.] [1913 Webster] 1. That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; a device; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • instrument — (n.) late 13c., musical instrument, from O.Fr. instrument means, device; musical instrument (14c., earlier estrument, 13c.) and directly from L. instrumentem a tool, apparatus, furniture, dress, document, from instruere arrange, furnish (see… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Instrument — In stru*ment, v. t. 1. To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra. [1913 Webster] 2. To furnish or equip with instruments; to attach instruments to; as, the fighter planes were heavily… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • instrument — instrùment m <G mn nātā> DEFINICIJA 1. a. pomagalo i oruđe za rad u laboratoriju ili u ordinaciji b. sprava za mjerenje, snimanje, pokazivanje određenih vrijednosti, posebno kao dio kontrolnog sustava [svi su instrumenti u avionu otkazali]… …   Hrvatski jezični portal

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