in·stru·ment /ˈɪnstrəmənt/ ●●● W2 noun [countableC] 1 tool 工具TZM a small tool used in work such as science or medicine 〔科学、医学等工作用的小巧的〕器械,器具 surgical instruments 外科(手术)器械
4 method 方法 [usually singular]WAY/METHOD something or someone that is used to get a particular result 促成某事的物[人];手段,方法instrument of Interest rates are an important instrument of economic policy. 利率是经济政策的重要调控手段。
instrument for (doing) something Good management should be an instrument for innovation. 良好的管理应当是创新所必需的手段。
5 HURT/CAUSE PAINfor hurting 用于伤害 something that is used to hit or hurt someone 〔击打或伤害他人的〕工具 Death was due to a blow on the head with a blunt instrument. 死亡是由于钝器击中头部所致。
instrument of torture (=an object used to make people suffer pain until they give information) 〔逼供用的〕刑具
6. instrument of fate/God literaryPOWER someone or something that is used by a power beyond our control 受命运/上帝摆布的人[物] n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: an object used for producing music, such as a piano or violinverbsplay an instrumentCan you play a musical instrument?
learn to play an instrument (also learn an instrument)All students at the school have the opportunity to learn an instrument.
tune an instrument (=make it play at the right pitch)The musicians were tuning their instruments before the concert began.
hire an instrumentYou could hire an instrument from a music shop.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + instrumenta wind/woodwind instrumentViolas blend very well with most of the wind instruments.
a brass instrumentThe tuba is the deepest of the brass instruments.
a string/stringed instrumentHe spent many hours playing string instruments of all kinds.
a keyboard instrumentKeyboard instruments are relatively easy to learn.
a percussion instrument (=one that you hit)Children can learn to play percussion instruments through games and songs.
an electronic instrumentAn electronic instrument requires no tuning and very little maintenance.
a solo instrument (=one that can be played on its own)The organ has increasingly become recognized as a solo instrument in its own right.