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To cut by striking repeatedly with a sharp instrument; to cut into pieces; to mince; -- often with up.

The string of a musical instrument. Milton.

An instrument for constructing triangles in marine surveying, etc.

An instrument for showing the optical effects of color.

An instrument for exhibiting certain chromatic effects of light (depending upon the persistence of vision and mixture of colors) by means of rapidly rotating disks variously colored.

An instrument for measuring or recording intervals of time, upon a revolving drum or strip of paper moved by clockwork. The action of the stylus or pen is controlled by electricity.

An instrument for measuring time; a timekeeper.

An instrument signaling the correct time to distant points by electricity.

An instrument for measuring minute intervals of time; used in determining the velocity of projectiles, the duration of short-lived luminous phenomena, etc.

An instrument for measuring liquids. It consists of a piston moving in a tube in which is contained the liquid, the quantity expelled being indicated by the graduation upon the piston rod.

A camera for taking chronophotographs for exhibition by the instrument described above.

An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle.

ular points at infinity. -- Circular functions. (Math.) See under Function. -- Circular instruments, mathematical instruments employed for measuring angles, in which the graduation extends round the whole circumference of a circle, or 360º. -- Circular lines, straight lines pertaining to the circle, as sines, tangen…

A surveying instrument, for taking horizontal angles and bearings; a surveyor's compass. It consists of a compass whose needle plays over a circle graduated to 360º, and of a horizontal brass bar at the ends of which are standards with narrow slits for sighting, supported on a tripod by a ball and socket joint.…

An ancient instrument resembling the harp.

A musical instrument; a kind of dulcimer. [Obs.]

An instrument shaped like a lute, but strung with wire and played with a quill or plectrum. [Written also cithern.] Shak.

An instrument with a screw or screws by which work is held in its place or two parts are temporarily held together.

An instrument of iron, with sharp prongs, attached to a boot or shoe to enable the wearer to walk securely upon ice; a creeper. Kane.

A musical instrument, formerly in use, in form of a spinet; -- called also manichord and clavichord.