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instrument

Definitions of instrument
  1. noun
    a device that requires skill for proper use
    see moresee less
    types:
    centrifuge, droogzwierder, knijptang, nageltang, nijper, nijptang, pincet, spijkertang, splintertangetje, tang, trektang
    an instrument for extracting tight-fitting components
    meetapparaat, meetinstrument, meter
    instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something
    machtsmiddel, strijdmiddel, wapen, wapensysteem
    any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
    accelerator
    a scientific instrument that increases the kinetic energy of charged particles
    actinograaf, actinometer
    an instrument for measuring the intensity of electromagnetic radiation (usually by the photochemical effect)
    altazimut
    an instrument that measures the altitude and azimuth of celestial bodies; used in navigation
    altimeter, hoogtemeter, hypsometer
    an instrument that measures the height above ground; used in navigation
    audiometer, fonometer, gehoormeter, klankmeter
    an instrument used to measure the sensitivity of hearing
    cardiograaf
    a medical instrument that measures the mechanical force of cardiac contractions and the amount of blood passing through the heart during a specified period by measuring the recoil of the body as blood is pumped from the ventricles
    barometer, weerglas
    an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
    ram, rammei, stormram
    a ram used to break down doors of fortified buildings
    binocle, binoculair, kijker, toneelkijker, veldkijker, verrekijker
    an optical instrument designed for simultaneous use by both eyes
    boksbeugel
    a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand
    buret, maatbuis
    measuring instrument consisting of a graduated glass tube with a tap at the bottom; used for titration
    calorimeter
    a measuring instrument that determines quantities of heat
    cardiograaf
    medical instrument that records electric currents associated with contractions of the heart
    onager
    an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles
    kompas
    navigational instrument for finding directions
    passer
    drafting instrument used for drawing circles
    densimeter, dichtheidsmeter
    a measuring instrument for determining density or specific gravity
    dosismeter, monitor, stralingsmeter
    a measuring instrument for measuring doses of ionizing radiation (X-rays or radioactivity)
    dynamometer
    measuring instrument designed to measure power
    elektro-encefalograaf
    medical instrument that records electric currents generated by the brain
    vlammenwerper
    a weapon that squirts ignited fuel for several yards
    forceps, verlostang
    an extractor consisting of a pair of pincers used in medical treatment (especially for the delivery of babies)
    worgpaal, wurgpaal, wurgtouw
    an instrument of execution for execution by strangulation
    gaskamer
    instrument of execution consisting of a sealed chamber into which poison gas is introduced; used to kill people or animals
    peilglas, proefglas, spoorbreedte, spoorwijdte
    a measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.
    gravimeter
    a measuring instrument for measuring variations in the gravitational field of the earth
    guillotine, papiersnijder, valbijl
    instrument of execution that consists of a weighted blade between two vertical poles; used for beheading people
    vuurwapen
    a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
    paardezweep
    a whip for controlling horses
    areometer, hydrometer, vochtweger
    a measuring instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid or solid
    hygrometer, psychrometer, vochtigheidsmeter, vochtmeter
    measuring instrument for measuring the relative humidity of the atmosphere
    hellingmeter
    a measuring instrument for measuring the angle of magnetic dip (as from an airplane)
    hellingmeter
    an instrument showing the angle that an aircraft makes with the horizon
    foltertuig, folterwerktuig, marteltuig
    an instrument of punishment designed and used to inflict torture on the condemned person
    planimeter, vlaktemeter
    a measuring instrument for measuring the area of an irregular plane figure
    mes
    a weapon with a handle and blade with a sharp point
    keelspiegel
    a medical instrument for examining the larynx
    log
    measuring instrument that consists of a float that trails from a ship by a knotted line in order to measure the ship's speed through the water
    loep, vergrootglas
    a scientific instrument that magnifies an image
    maatlepel
    measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements
    octant
    a measuring instrument for measuring angles to a celestial body; similar to a sextant but with 45 degree calibration
    oftalmoscoop, oogspiegel
    medical instrument for examining the retina of the eye
    oorspiegel, oortrechter, otoscoop
    medical instrument consisting of a magnifying lens and light; used for examining the external ear (the auditory meatus and especially the tympanic membrane)
    riemblad
    an instrument of punishment consisting of a flat board
    pedometer, podometer
    measuring instrument for recording the number of steps taken in walking
    periscoop
    an optical instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field
    fotometer, fotoscoop, lichtmeter
    measuring instrument for measuring the luminous intensity of a source by comparing it (visually or photoelectrically) with a standard source
    kaak, schandpaal
    a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn
    druppelflesje, druppelteller, pipet, steekhevel, zuigbuis
    measuring instrument consisting of a graduated glass tube used to measure or transfer precise volumes of a liquid by drawing the liquid up into the tube
    pitotbuis
    measuring instrument consisting of a combined Pitot tube and static tube that measures total and static pressure; used in aircraft to measure airspeed
    pitotbuis
    measuring instrument consisting of a right-angled tube with an open end that is directed in opposition to the flow of a fluid and used to measure the velocity of fluid flow
    planket
    surveying instrument consisting of a drawing board and a ruler that are mounted on a tripod; used to sight and map topographical details
    potentiometer, potmeter
    a measuring instrument for measuring direct current electromotive forces
    projectiel
    a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled
    projectieapparaat, projectietoestel, projector
    an optical instrument that projects an enlarged image onto a screen
    graadboog, gradenboog, hoekmeter, rapporteur
    drafting instrument used to draw or measure angles
    kwadrant
    a measuring instrument for measuring altitude of heavenly bodies
    radar
    measuring instrument in which the echo of a pulse of microwave radiation is used to detect and locate distant objects
    afstandmeter
    a measuring instrument (acoustic or optical or electronic) for finding the distance of an object
    vlaggemast, vlaggenmast
    surveying instrument consisting of a straight rod painted in bands of alternate red and white each one foot wide; used for sightings by surveyors
    refractometer
    measuring instrument for measuring the refractive index of a substance
    weegtoestel
    a measuring instrument for weighing; shows amount of mass
    gesel
    a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor)
    seismograaf
    a measuring instrument for detecting and measuring the intensity and direction and duration of movements of the ground (as an earthquake)
    sensitometer
    a measuring instrument for measuring the light sensitivity of film over a range of exposures
    sextant, spiegelboog
    a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
    draagdoek, draagverband, mitella, slinger
    a simple weapon consisting of a looped strap in which a projectile is whirled and then released
    sonar, sonarapparatuur
    a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return
    lans, speer, spies, spiets, werpspies
    a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
    binocle, bril, fok, toneelkijker
    optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
    spectroscoop
    an optical instrument for spectrographic analysis
    speculum
    a medical instrument for dilating a bodily passage or cavity in order to examine the interior
    sferometer
    a measuring instrument for measuring the curvature of a surface
    stethoscoop
    a medical instrument for listening to the sounds generated inside the body
    stroboscoop, stroboscooplamp
    scientific instrument that provides a flashing light synchronized with the periodic movement of an object; can make moving object appear stationary
    rooipaal
    surveying instrument consisting basically of a small telescope with an attached spirit level rotating around a vertical axis; for measuring relative heights of land
    gard, roe, roede, wisselaar
    a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment
    zijzwaard, zwaard
    a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
    spuit, spuitje
    a medical instrument used to inject or withdraw fluids
    gatsometer, snelheidsmeter, tachograaf, tachometer, toerenteller
    measuring instrument for indicating speed of rotation
    centimeter, lintmeter, maatlint, meetlint, snoer
    measuring instrument consisting of a narrow strip (cloth or metal) marked in inches or centimeters and used for measuring lengths
    afstandmeter
    any scientific instrument for observing events at a distance and transmitting the information back to the observer
    spanningsmeter, tensiemeter
    a measuring instrument for measuring the tension in a wire or fiber or beam
    doorvoer, transitogoederen
    a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small telescope mounted on a tripod
    thermometer, warmtemeter
    measuring instrument for measuring temperature
    tijdmeter, uurwerk
    a measuring instrument or device for keeping time
    bijl, krijgsbijl, strijdbijl, tomahawk
    weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians
    torsiebalans
    measuring instrument designed to measure small forces by the torsion they exert on a thin wire
    dreg
    any of various triangular drafting instruments used to draw straight lines at specified angles
    tekenhaak
    a square used by draftsmen to draw parallel lines
    variometer
    a measuring instrument for measuring variations in a magnetic field
    meetbuis
    a short tube inserted into a pipeline and used to measure the quantity of a liquid that is flowing in the pipeline
    type of:
    apparaat, hulp, hulpje, hulpmiddel, toestel, utiliteit
    an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
  2. noun
    how a result is obtained or an end is achieved
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    types:
    noodvoorziening, provisorium
    a means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical one
    noodsprong
    desperate actions taken as a means to an end
    lapwerk, noodgreep, noodmaatregel, noodverband, noodvoorziening, provisorium, stopwoord
    something contrived to meet an urgent need or emergency
    hoop, kruk, toeverlaat, toevlucht
    anything that serves as an expedient
    improvisatie
    an unplanned expedient
    noodsprong
    an expedient adopted only in desperation
  3. noun
    any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds
    synonyms: muziekinstrument
    see moresee less
    types:
    draaiorgel, straatorgel
    a musical instrument that makes music by rotation of a cylinder studded with pegs
    bas, basinstrument, bassist, basviool, contrabas
    the member with the lowest range of a family of musical instruments
    mondharp
    a small lyre-shaped musical instrument that is placed between the teeth and played by twanging a wire tongue while changing the shape of the mouth cavity
    muziekdoos, speeldoos
    produces music by means of pins on a revolving cylinder that strike the tuned teeth of a comb-like metal plate
    slaginstrument
    a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another
    snaarinstrument
    a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound
    blaasinstrument
    a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by an enclosed column of air that is moved by the breath
    accordeon, harmonica, harmonika, musette, trekharmonica, trekharmonika, trekzak
    a portable box-shaped free-reed instrument; the reeds are made to vibrate by air from the bellows controlled by the player
    banjo
    a stringed instrument of the guitar family that has long neck and circular body
    bas, basviool, contrabas
    largest and lowest member of the violin family
    sousafoon, tuba
    the lowest brass wind instrument
    bombarde, bombardon, steengeschut
    a large shawm; the bass member of the shawm family
    castagnet, castagnetten, sambabal
    a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
    strijkinstrument
    stringed instruments that are played with a bow
    bugel, koper
    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
    celesta
    a musical instrument consisting of graduated steel plates that are struck by hammers activated by a keyboard
    gong, speelwerk
    a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
    clavichord(ium), klavechord, klavechord(ium), klavichord
    an early stringed instrument like a piano but with more delicate sound
    kalfsvel, trom, trommel
    a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
    hammondorgel, orgaan
    (music) an electronic simulation of a pipe organ
    klokkenspel
    a percussion instrument consisting of a set of graduated metal bars mounted on a frame and played with small hammers
    gong, tamtam
    a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
    gitaar
    a stringed instrument usually having six strings; played by strumming or plucking
    mirliton
    a toy wind instrument that has a membrane that makes a sound when you hum into the mouthpiece
    gehoorvlies, keteltrom, pauk, trommelvlies
    a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it
    marimba, xylofoon
    a percussion instrument with wooden bars tuned to produce a chromatic scale and with resonators; played with small mallets
    orgel, pijporgel
    wind instrument whose sound is produced by means of pipes arranged in sets supplied with air from a bellows and controlled from a large complex musical keyboard
    orgelpijp, pijp
    the flues and stops on a pipe organ
    forte-piano, klavier, klavierinstrument, pianino, piano, pianoforte, tingeltangel
    a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
    fluit, fluitje
    a tubular wind instrument
    psalter, psalterium
    an ancient stringed instrument similar to the lyre or zither but having a trapezoidal sounding board under the strings
    sitar
    a stringed instrument of India; has a long neck and movable frets; has 6 or 7 metal strings for playing and usually 13 resonating strings
    dreg, driehoek
    a percussion instrument consisting of a metal bar bent in the shape of an open triangle
    vibrafoon
    a percussion instrument similar to a xylophone but having metal bars and rotating disks in the resonators that produce a vibrato sound
    citer
    a musical stringed instrument with strings stretched over a flat sounding board; it is laid flat and played with a plectrum and with fingers
    type of:
    apparaat, hulp, hulpje, hulpmiddel, toestel, utiliteit
    an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
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