2. the means whereby some act is accomplished; - Example: "my greed was the instrument of my destruction" - Example: "science has given us new tools to fight disease" [syn: instrument, tool]
3. a person used by another to gain an end; [syn: instrument, pawn, cat's-paw]
5. the semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process; [syn: instrumental role, instrument]
6. any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds; [syn: musical instrument, instrument]
VERB (3)
1. equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling;
2. write an instrumental score for; [syn: instrument, instrumentate]