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A wind instrument, blown by a single reed, of richer and fuller tone than the oboe, which has a double reed. It is the leading instrument in a military band.

A keyed stringed instrument, now superseded by the pianoforte. See Clarichord.

One who cleaves, or that which cleaves; especially, a butcher's instrument for cutting animal bodies into joints or pieces.

An instrument for determining the dip of beds or strata, pr the slope of an embankment or cutting; a kind of plumb level. Dana.

A West Indian wood, used for making flutes and other musical instruments.

An instrument in writting whereby a defendant in an action acknowledges a plaintiff's demand to be just. Mozley & W.

ating; the adjustment of the line of the sights, as the axial line of the telescope of an instrument, into its proper position relative to the other parts of the instrument. Error of collimation, the deviation of the line collimation of an astronomical instrument from the position it ought to have with respect to the a…

An instrument for measuring the depth of the color of anything, especially of a liquid, by comparison with a standard liquid.

A short knotted rope formerly used as an instrument of punishment in the navy. Ham. Nav. Encyc. Colt's tooth, an imperfect or superfluous tooth in young horses. -- To cast one's colt's tooth, to cease from youthful wantonness. "Your colt's tooth is not cast yet." Shak. -- To have a colt's tooth, to be wanton. Chaucer…

An instrument with teeth, for straightening, cleansing, and adjusting the hair, or for keeping it in place.

An instrument, intended to represent the revolution of a comet round the sun. Hutton.

An instrument or machine for comparing anything to be measured with a standard measure; -- applied especially to a machine for comparing standards of length.

An instrument for determining directions upon the carth's surface by means of a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot and pinting in a northerly and southerly direction. He that firat discovered the use of the compass did more for the supplying and increase of useful commodities than those who built work…

An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move.

f being competent; fitness; ability; adequacy; power. The loan demonstrates, in regard to instrumental resources, the competency of this kingdom to the assertion of the common cause. Burke. To make them act zealously is not in the competence of law. Burke.

andfuls or type are lifted; -- called also setting rule. -- Composing stick (Print.), an instrument usually of metal, which the compositor holds in his left hand, and in which he arranges the type in words and lines. It has one open side, and one adjustable end by means of which the length of the lines, and consequent…

A musical entertainment in which several voices or instruments take part. Visit by night your lady's chamber window With some sweet concert. Shak. And boding screech owls make the concert full. Shak. Concert pitch. See under Pitch.

A concert for two or more principal instruments, with orchestral accompaniment. Also adjectively; as, concertante parts.

ed schemes, signals. Concerted piece (Mus.), a composition in parts for several voices or instrument, as a trio, a quartet, etc.

A piece for one or more solo instruments with orchestra; -- more concise than the concerto.