instrument

Everyday

1. An instrument is a thing used to make music, like a piano, guitar, violin, flute or drum. tree →
2. An instrument is also a tool for measuring or doing careful work, like a ruler, thermometer or a doctor's tools. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: musical instruments counted in a band or shop, priced or compared; or a measuring instrument (ruler, protractor, scales). In music: string, wind, brass and percussion instruments. In science: instruments measure temperature, weight and time. Phrases: musical instrument, play an instrument, measuring instrument, string instrument.

Examples

• The band has 14 instruments. tree →
• Each student plays one instrument. tree →
• A violin costs $90 more than a flute. tree →
• A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature. tree →
• Which instrument do you play? tree →
• The drum is a percussion instrument. tree →
• A protractor is an instrument for measuring angles. tree →
• The pilot checked the instruments before take-off. tree →
• Go down and ask him what the instrument costs.’ tree →

Note

Countable. «Play an instrument», «play the piano». Usually just the thing counted; no clue to the operation. Trap: in «a violin costs $90 more than a flute» the violin is the bigger price, so add.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Law says that killing with an iron instrument counts as murder. The Tabernacle's instruments were holy objects made for God's service. In the primary lessons: In maths: musical instruments counted in a band or shop, priced or compared; or a measuring instrument (ruler, protractor, scales). In music: string, wind, brass and percussion instruments. In science: instruments measure temperature, weight and time. Phrases: musical instrument, play an instrument, measuring instrument, string instrument.

Examples

• And Zillah, she also bore Tubal-cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. (Torah GEN.4.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• But if he smote him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. (Torah NUM.35.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• All the instruments of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass. (Torah EXO.27.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• That thrum on the psaltery, that devise for themselves instruments of music, like David; (Prophets AMO.6.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. (Writings 2CH.29.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and the pipe. (Writings PSA.150.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. «Play an instrument», «play the piano». Usually just the thing counted; no clue to the operation. Trap: in «a violin costs $90 more than a flute» the violin is the bigger price, so add.