instrument : Idioms & Phrases


beating-reed instrument

  • noun a musical instrument that sounds by means of a vibrating reed
    beating-reed instrument; reed.
WordNet

Bow instrument

  • (Mus.), any stringed instrument from which the tones are produced by the bow.
Webster 1913

bowed stringed instrument

  • noun stringed instruments that are played with a bow
    string.
    • the strings played superlatively well
WordNet

brass instrument

  • noun a wind instrument that consists of a brass tube (usually of variable length) that is blown by means of a cup-shaped or funnel-shaped mouthpiece
    brass.
WordNet

Circular instruments

  • mathematical instruments employed for measuring angles, in which the graduation extends round the whole circumference of a circle, or 360°.
Webster 1913

commercial instrument

  • noun a document of or relating to commerce
    commercial document.
WordNet

debt instrument

  • noun a written promise to repay a debt
    obligation; certificate of indebtedness.
WordNet

derivative instrument

  • noun a financial instrument whose value is based on another security
    derivative.
WordNet

double-reed instrument

  • noun a woodwind that has a pair of joined reeds that vibrate together
    double reed.
WordNet

drafting instrument

  • noun an instrument used by a draftsman in making drawings
WordNet

electronic instrument

  • noun a musical instrument that generates sounds electronically
    electronic instrument.
WordNet

electronic musical instrument

  • noun a musical instrument that generates sounds electronically
    electronic instrument.
WordNet

execution of instrument

  • noun (law) the completion of a legal instrument (such as a contract or deed) by signing it (and perhaps sealing and delivering it) so that it becomes legally binding and enforceable
    execution.
WordNet

free-reed instrument

  • noun a wind instrument with a free reed
WordNet

instrument flying

  • noun navigation of an airplane solely by instruments
WordNet

instrument landing

  • noun an aircraft landing made entirely by means of instruments
WordNet

instrument of execution

  • noun an instrument designed and used to take the life of a condemned person
WordNet

instrument of punishment

  • noun an instrument designed and used to punish a condemned person
WordNet

instrument of torture

  • noun an instrument of punishment designed and used to inflict torture on the condemned person
WordNet

instrument panel

  • noun electrical device consisting of a flat insulated surface that contains switches and dials and meters for controlling other electrical devices
    control panel; panel; board; control board.
    • he checked the instrument panel
    • suddenly the board lit up like a Christmas tree
WordNet

keyboard instrument

  • noun a musical instrument that is played by means of a keyboard
WordNet

  • noun (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
    legal document; official document; instrument.
WordNet

Leveling instrument

  • . See Surveyor's level, under Level, n.
Webster 1913

measuring instrument

  • noun instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something
    measuring device; measuring system.
WordNet

medical instrument

  • noun instrument used in the practice of medicine
WordNet

Meridian instrument

  • (Astron.), any astronomical instrument having a telescope that rotates in a meridian plane.
Webster 1913

musical instrument

  • noun any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds
    instrument.
WordNet

musical instrument digital interface

  • noun a standard protocol for communication between electronic musical instruments and computers
    MIDI.
WordNet

  • noun an instrument used for navigating
WordNet

negotiable instrument

  • noun an unconditional order or promise to pay an amount of money
WordNet

optical instrument

  • noun an instrument designed to aid vision
WordNet

percussion instrument

  • noun a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another
    percussion instrument.
WordNet

percussive instrument

  • noun a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another
    percussion instrument.
WordNet

Prime-vertical transit instrument

  • a transit instrument the telescope of which revolves in the plane of the prime vertical, used for observing the transit of stars over this circle.
Webster 1913

reed instrument

  • noun a musical instrument that sounds by means of a vibrating reed
    beating-reed instrument; reed.
WordNet

Repeating instruments

  • (Astron. & Surv.), instruments for observing angles, as a circle, theodolite, etc., so constructed that the angle may be measured several times in succession, and different, but successive and contiguous, portions of the graduated limb, before reading off the aggregate result, which aggregate, divided by the number of measurements, gives the angle, freed in a measure from errors of eccentricity and graduation.
Webster 1913

scientific instrument

  • noun an instrument used by scientists
WordNet

sealed instrument

  • noun a contract that is signed and has the (wax) seal of the signer attached
    special contract; contract under seal.
WordNet

single-reed instrument

  • noun a beating-reed instrument with a single reed (as a clarinet or saxophone)
    single-reed woodwind.
WordNet

stringed instrument

  • noun a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound
WordNet

surgical instrument

  • noun a medical instrument used in surgery
WordNet

surveying instrument

  • noun an instrument used by surveyors
    surveying instrument.
WordNet

surveyor's instrument

  • noun an instrument used by surveyors
    surveying instrument.
WordNet

test instrument vehicle

  • noun a rocket fired for test purposes
    test rocket; research rocket.
WordNet

time-delay measuring instrument

  • noun chronoscope for measuring the time difference between two events
    time-delay measuring system.
WordNet

Transit instrument

  • noun a telescope mounted on an axis running east and west and used to time the transit of a celestial body across the meridian
WordNet
  • . (Astron.) (a) A telescope mounted at right angles to a horizontal axis, on which it revolves with its line of collimation in the plane of the meridian, used in connection with a clock for observing the time of transit of a heavenly body over the meridian of a place. (b) (Surv.) A surveyor's transit. See Transit, 5, above.
Webster 1913

Universal instrument

  • (Astron.), a species of altitude and azimuth instrument, the peculiarity of which is, that the object end of the telescope is placed at right angles to the eye end, with a prism of total reflection at the angle, and the eye end constitutes a portion of the horizontal axis of the instrument, having the eyepiece at the pivot and in the center of the altitude circle, so that the eye has convenient access to both at the same time.
Webster 1913

Wind instrument

  • noun a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by an enclosed column of air that is moved by the breath
    wind.
WordNet
  • (Mus.), an instrument of music sounded by means of wind, especially by means of the breath, as a flute, a clarinet, etc.
Webster 1913

woodwind instrument

  • noun any wind instrument other than the brass instruments
    wood; woodwind.
WordNet