instrument

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A means by which something is done; an agency.
2. n. One used by another to accomplish a purpose; a dupe.
3. n. An implement used to facilitate work. See Synonyms at tool.
4. n. A device for recording, measuring, or controlling, especially such a device functioning as part of a control system.
5. n. Music A device for playing or producing music: a keyboard instrument.
6. n. A legal document, such as a deed, will, mortgage, or insurance policy.
7. v. To provide or equip with instruments.
8. v. Music To compose or arrange for performance.
9. v. To address a legal document to.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. Something that serves as a means to the effecting of an end; anything that contributes to the production of an effect or the accomplishment of a purpose; a means; an agency.
2. n. Specifically Something used to produce a mechanical effect; a contrivance with which to perform mechanical work of any kind; a tool, implement, utensil, or machine.
3. n. Specifically In music, a mechanical contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds—that is, for setting up, either in a solid body or in a confined body of air, vibrations sufficiently rapid, regular, and definite to produce tones systematically related to one another. An instrument involves a vibration-producing agency, a vibratile body, usually a resonator of some kind, and various appliances for regulating the pitch, the force, the duration, and often the quality of the tones produced. Instruments may be grouped by reference to any one of these characteristics. Thus, with respect to the vibration-producing agency, they are— inflatile, blown by the breath, as a flute; by mechanically compressed air, as an organ or a concertina; or by the wind, as an æolian harp;
4. n. One who is used by another; a human tool.
5. n. In law, a writing given as the means of creating, securing, modifying, or terminating a right, or affording evidence, as a writing containing the terms of a contract, a deed of conveyance, a grant, a patent, an indenture, etc.
6. n. See the adjectives. Synonyms Implement, Utensil, etc. See tool.
7. In music, to compose or arrange for instruments, especially for an orchestra; score.

Wiktionary

1. n. A device used to produce music.
2. n. A measuring or displaying device.
3. n. A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement
4. n. law A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will.
5. n. figuratively A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.
6. v. transitive To apply measuring devices.
7. v. transitive To devise, conceive, cook up, plan.
8. v. To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; a device
2. n. A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced.
3. n. (Law) 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.
4. n. One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent.
5. v. To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument.
6. v. To furnish or equip with instruments; to attach instruments to.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. write an instrumental score for
2. v. address a legal document to
3. n. the semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process
4. n. the means whereby some act is accomplished
5. n. a person used by another to gain an end
6. n. (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
7. v. equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling
8. n. any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds
9. n. a device that requires skill for proper use