Search the Dictionary

Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,397 words match “INSTRUMENT”

BRONTOMETER n.
An instrument for noting or recording phenomena attendant on thunderstorms.
BRUISE n.
An injury to the flesh of animals, or to plants, fruit, etc., with a blunt or heavy instrument, or by collision with some other body; a contusion; as, a bruise on the head; bruises on fruit. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises. Isa. i. 6.…
BRUSH n.
An instrument composed of bristles, or other like material, set in a suitable back or handle, as of wood, bone, or ivory, and used for various purposes, as in removing dust from clothes, laying on colors, etc. Brushes have different shapes and names according to their use; as, clothes brush, paint brush, tooth brush, e…
BUCCINATOR n.
A muscle of the cheek; -- so called from its use in blowing wind instruments.
BUGLE n.
A copper instrument of the horn quality of tone, shorter and more conical that the trumpet, sometimes keyed; formerly much used in military bands, very rarely in the orchestra; now superseded by the cornet; -- called also the Kent bugle.
BURY v.
upon decaying flesh, and are useful scavengers. -- To bury the hatchet, to lay aside the instruments of war, and make peace; -- a phrase used in allusion to the custom observed by the North American Indians, of burying a tomahawk when they conclude a peace.
BUTTERIS n.
A steel cutting instrument, with a long bent shank set in a handle which rests against the shoulder of the operator. It is operated by a thrust movement, and used in paring the hoofs of horses.
BUTYROMETER n.
An instrument for determining the amount of fatty matter or butter contained in a sample of milk.
CADRANS n.
An instrument with a graduated disk by means of which the angles of gems are measured in the process of cutting and polishing.
CALIBER; CALIBRE n.
f mind. Burke. Caliber compasses. See Calipers. -- Caliber rule, a gunner's calipers, an instrument having two scales arranged to determine a ball's weight from its diameter, and conversely. -- A ship's caliber, the weight of her armament.
CALIBRATE v.
ally, to determine or rectify the graduation of, as of the various standards or graduated instruments.
CALIBRATION n.
also, more generally, the determination of the true value of the spaces in any graduated instrument.
CALIPERS n.
An instrument, usually resembling a pair of dividers or compasses with curved legs, for measuring the diameter or thickness of bodies, as of work shaped in a lathe or planer, timber, masts, shot, etc.; or the bore of firearms, tubes, etc.; -- called also caliper compasses, or caliber compasses. Caliper square, a draugh…
CALK n.
An instrument with sharp points, worn on the sole of a shoe or boot, to prevent slipping.
CALL n.
f calling; -- usually with the voice, but often otherwise, as by signs, the sound of some instrument, or by writing; a summons; an entreaty; an invitation; as, a call for help; the bugle's call. "Call of the trumpet." Shak. I rose as at thy call, but found thee not. Milton.
CALLIOPE n.
A musical instrument consisting of series of steam whistles, toned to the notes of the scale, and played by keys arranged like those of an organ. It is sometimes attached to steamboat boilers.
CALTROP; CALTRAP n. 2 definitions
having a hard several-celled fruit, armed with stout spines, and resembling the military instrument of the same name. The species grow in warm countries, and are often very annoying to cattle.
CAMERA n.
A chamber, or instrument having a chamber. Specifically: The camera obscura when used in photography. See Camera, and Camera obscura. Bellows camera. See under Bellows. -- In camera (Law), in a judge's chamber, that is, privately; as, a judge hears testimony which is not fit for the open court in camera. -- Panoramic…
CAMERA LUCIDA n.
An instrument which by means of a prism of a peculiar form, or an arrangement of mirrors, causes an apparent image of an external object or objects to appear as if projected upon a plane surface, as of paper or canvas, so that the outlines may conveniently traced. It is generally used with the microscope.…
CANDLESTICK n.
An instrument or utensil for supporting a candle.
← Previous Page 10 of 70 Next →