Part 5928

<hw>In*struct"ress</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A woman who instructs; a preceptress; a governess.</def>

<i>Johnson.</i>

<h1>Instrument</h1> <Xpage=772>

<hw>In"stru*ment</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>instrument</ets>, L. <ets>instrumentum</ets>. See <er>Instruct</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; <as>as, the <ex>instruments</ex> of a mechanic; astronomical <ex>instruments</ex>.</as></def>

<blockquote>All the lofty <b>instruments</b> of war. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; <as>as, a musical <ex>instrument</ex></as>.</def>

<blockquote>Praise him with stringed <b>instruments</b> and organs. <i>Ps. cl. 4.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>But signs when songs and <b>instruments</b> he hears. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Law)</fld> <def>A writing, as the means of giving formal expression to some act; a writing expressive of some act, contract, process, as a deed, contract, writ, etc.</def>

<i>Burrill.</i>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent.</def>

<blockquote>Or useful serving man and <b>instrument</b>, To any sovereign state. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The bold are but the <b>instruments</b> of the wise. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Tool; implement; utensil; machine; apparatus; channel; agent.</syn>

<h1>Instrument</h1> <Xpage=772>

<hw>In"stru*ment</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <def>To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; <as>as, a sonata <ex>instrumented</ex> for orchestra</as>.</def>

<h1>Instrumental</h1> <Xpage=772>

<hw>In`stru*men"tal</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>instrumental</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Acting as an instrument; serving as a means; contributing to promote; conductive; helpful; serviceable; <as>as, he was <ex>instrumental</ex> in conducting the business</as>.</def>

<blockquote>The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more <b>instrumental</b> to the mouth. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Mus.)</fld> <def>Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an instrument, esp. a musical instrument; <as>as, <ex>instrumental</ex> music, distinguished from <ex>vocal</ex> music</as>.</def> "He defended the use of <i>instrumental</i> music in public worship."

<i>Macaulay.</i>

<blockquote>Sweet voices mix'd with <b>instrumental</b> sounds. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Gram.)</fld> <def>Applied to a case expressing means or agency; <as>as, the <ex>instrumental</ex> case</as>. This is found in Sanskrit as a separate case, but in Greek it was merged into the dative, and in Latin into the ablative. In Old English it was a separate case, but has disappeared, leaving only a few anomalous forms.</def>

<cs><col>Instrumental errors</col>, <cd>those errors in instrumental measurements, etc., which arise, exclusively from want of mathematical accuracy in an instrument.</cd></cs>

<h1>Instrumentalist</h1> <Xpage=772>

<hw>In`stru*men"tal*ist</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who plays upon an instrument of music, as distinguished from a <i>vocalist</i>.</def>