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Any part of a mathematical instrument that moves or slides backward and forward upon another part.

An instrument for drawing curved lines.

To sparate the parts of with, or as with, a sharp instrument; to make an incision in; to gash; to sever; to divide. You must cut this flesh from off his breast. Shak. Before the whistling winds the vessels fly, With rapid swiftness cut the liquid way. Pope.

One who makes or deals in cutlery, or knives and other cutting instruments.

Edged or cutting instruments, collectively.

That which cuts; a machine or part of a machine, or a tool or instrument used for cutting, as that part of a mower which severs the stalk, or as a paper cutter.

An instrument for measuring degress of blueness.

A musical instrument used by the ancients. It is supposed to have been similar to the modern kettle drum, though perhaps smaller.

An instrument for making tracings of the outline or contour of profiles, moldings, etc.

An instrument for exhibiting and measuring wave motion; specif. (Elec.),

A rule for construing written instruments so as to conform as nearly to the intention of the parties as is consistent with law. Mozley & W.

A knife or instrument used in cystotomy.

An instrument for testing the density of gases, consisting of a thin glass globe, which is weighed in the gas or gases, and then in an atmosphere of known density.

To note the time of writing or executing; to express in an instrument the time of its execution; as, to date a letter, a bond, a deed, or a charter.

giving indications by a single beat or excursion; -- said of galvanometers and other instruments in which the needle or index moves to the extent of its deflection and stops with little or no further oscillation. Deadbeat escapement. See under Escapement.

An ancient Greek musical instrument of ten strings, resembling the harp.

The document or instrument containing such statement or proclamation; as, the Declaration of Independence (now preserved in Washington). In 1776 the Americans laid before Europe that noble Declaration, which ought to be hung up in the nursery of every king, and blazoned on the porch of every royal palace. Buckle.…

An instrument for taking the declination or angle which a plane makes with the horizontal plane.

An instrument for measuring the declination of the magnetic needle.

A machine for decorticating wood, hulling grain, etc.; also, an instrument for removing surplus bark or moss from fruit trees.