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instrument
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. |
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"instrument." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "instrument." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-instrument.html "instrument." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-instrument.html |
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instrument
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.
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JOHN DAINTITH. "instrument." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN DAINTITH. "instrument." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-instrument.html JOHN DAINTITH. "instrument." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-instrument.html |
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instrument
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. |
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T. F. HOAD. "instrument." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "instrument." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-instrument.html T. F. HOAD. "instrument." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-instrument.html |
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Instrument
INSTRUMENTA 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. |
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Cite this article
"Instrument." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Instrument." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437702337.html "Instrument." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437702337.html |
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