instrument

views updated Jun 11 2018

in·stru·ment / ˈinstrəmənt/ • n. 1. a tool or implement, esp. one for delicate or scientific work: a surgical instrument writing instruments. ∎  a thing used in pursuing an aim or policy; a means: drama as an instrument of learning. ∎  a person who is exploited or made use of: he was a mere instrument acting under coercion.2. a measuring device used to gauge the level, position, speed, etc., of something, esp. a motor vehicle or aircraft.3. (also musical instrument) an object or device for producing musical sounds: a percussion instrument.4. a formal document, esp. a legal one: execution involves signature and unconditional delivery of the instrument.• v. [tr.] equip (something) with measuring instruments.

instrument

views updated May 29 2018

instrument tool, implement XIII (earliest of a musical instrument); something used by an agent; means XIV; legal document XV. — (O)F. — L. instrūmentum, f. instruere; see prec. and -MENT.
So instrumental serving as instrument or means XIV; of music composed for instruments XVI (whence instrumentalist XIX); (gram.) XIX. instrumentation composition of music for instruments XIX. instrumentality XVII.

instrument

views updated May 21 2018

instrument To add code to software, or devices to hardware, in order to monitor (and sometimes control) operation of a system or component while under test or analysis. The code or devices so used are called instrumentation. Instrumenting code may, for example, write to a report file the before and after values of a variable together with a source reference to the code each time the variable is referenced. Some software environments provide tools to automatically add (and remove) the instrumentation and to analyze report files or screen-directed output.

Instrument

views updated May 14 2018

INSTRUMENT

A formal or legal written document; a document in writing, such as a deed, lease, bond, contract, or will. A writing that serves as evidence of an individual's right to collect money, such as a check.