instruments
Means of measurement
Instruments are tools or devices used to accomplish specific tasks.
Musical instruments produce sound: She plays three instruments.
Scientific instruments measure or observe: surgical instruments, instruments of navigation.
Legal instruments are formal documents like contracts or deeds.
The verb instrument means to equip with measuring devices or to arrange music for particular instruments.
Figuratively, a person can be an instrument of change or destruction—a means through which something is accomplished.
Large instrumental ensemble
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
quartet · solo · violin · cello · piano · flute · clarinet · oboe
Standard of measurement
- thermometerHeat-measuring instrument
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
- speedometerVehicle velocity display
- odometerVehicle distance recorder
tachometer · manometer · micrometer · calipers · ruler · scale · dial · indicator
Precise surgical knife
- forcepsMedical grasping instrument
- clampDevice for holding tight
- retractorTool exposing surgical field
- probeThorough examination or tool
catheter · speculum · trocar · suture · lancet · hemostat · curette · dilator
Instrument for viewing minute objects
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- centrifugeSpinning density-separation device
- chromatographInstrument separating mixture components
incubator · autoclave · pipette · beaker · flask · burette · microtome · oscilloscope
Device showing cardinal directions
- sextantMaritime angular measurement device
- astrolabeAncient altitude-measuring instrument
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- radarRadio-wave object detection
sonar · LIDAR · gyroscope · chronometer · satellite · altimeter · periscope · binoculars
orchestra
Large instrumental ensemble
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
sonata · quartet · solo · violin · cello · piano · flute · clarinet · oboe · trumpet
gauge
Standard of measurement
- thermometerHeat-measuring instrument
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
- speedometerVehicle velocity display
odometer · tachometer · manometer · micrometer · calipers · ruler · scale · dial · indicator · readout
scalpel
Precise surgical knife
- forcepsMedical grasping instrument
- clampDevice for holding tight
- retractorTool exposing surgical field
probe · catheter · speculum · trocar · suture · lancet · hemostat · curette · dilator · endoscope
microscope
Instrument for viewing minute objects
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- centrifugeSpinning density-separation device
chromatograph · incubator · autoclave · pipette · beaker · flask · burette · microtome · oscilloscope · electrophoresis
compass
Device showing cardinal directions
- sextantMaritime angular measurement device
- astrolabeAncient altitude-measuring instrument
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
radar · sonar · LIDAR · gyroscope · chronometer · satellite · altimeter · periscope · binoculars · theodolite
loom
Fabric-making frame
chisel · plane · gouge · rasp · burnisher · stylus · kiln · pottery wheel · shuttle · bobbin
contract
Enforceable written agreement
- deedWritten property conveyance
- charterFounding organizational document
- certificateFormal written attestation
treaty · warrant · writ · affidavit · document · agreement · covenant · bond · notarized · signatory
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- cultural heritagefolklore, traditions, customs, folk music revival, museum collections
- music foundationgrants, scholarships, music lessons, donations, endowments
- Dentistdentist, dental floss, dental hygienist, cavity filling, cavity
- manufactured goodsautomobiles, appliances, auto parts, cars, trucks
- musicmusic, song, songs, singing, singer
instrumentsbare hands
Ungloved, unequipped extremities
hands · fingers · body · brute force · manual labor
instrumentsguesswork
Conclusions drawn without proof
estimation · approximations · intuition · eyeballing · gut feeling
- musical instrumentTool for making music
- optical instrumentLight-manipulating viewing device
- wind instrumentMusic maker requiring breath
- string instrumentsMusic makers with tensioned filaments
- brass instrumentsMetal tubes played by buzzing lips
- blunt instrumentWeapon lacking an edge
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