Search the Dictionary

An instrument for exciting electricity, and repeating the charge indefinitely by induction, consisting of a flat cake of resin, shelllac, or ebonite, upon which is placed a plate of metal.

An instrument for detecting the presence of electricity, or changes in the electric state of bodies, or the species of electricity present, as by means of pith balls, and the like. Condensing electroscope (Physics), a form of electroscope in which an increase of sensibility is obtained by the use of a condenser.…

An instrument for describing ellipses; -- called also trammel.

; as, an elliptical phrase. Elliptic chuck. See under Chuck. -- Elliptic compasses, an instrument arranged for drawing ellipses. -- Elliptic function. (Math.) See Function. -- Elliptic integral. (Math.) See Integral. -- Elliptic polarization. See under Polarization.

The mouthpiece of a wind instrument.

followed by in, about, on, or upon, and sometimes by to; as: (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means, a material, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ the pen in writing, bricks in building, words and phrases in speaking; to employ the mind; to employ one's energies. This is a day in which the t…

An instrument for examining the interior of the rectum, the urethra, and the bladder.

An instrument for measuring the force or amount of endosmotic action.

The instrument or deed by which one is invested with the fee of an estate.

Any instrument by which any effect is produced; especially, an instrument or machine of war or torture. "Terrible engines of death." Sir W. Raleigh.

Engines, in general; instruments of war. Training his devilish enginery. Milton.

To cut with a graving instrument in order to form an inscription or pictorial representation; to carve figures; to mark with incisions. Like . . . . a signet thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel. Ex. xxviii. 11.

write a fair copy of in distinct and legible characters; as, to engross a deed or like instrument on parchment. Some period long past, when clerks engrossed their stiff and formal chirography on more substantial materials. Hawthorne. Laws that may be engrossed on a finger nail. De Quincey.

That which has been engrossed, as an instrument, legislative bill, goods, etc.

Pertaining to a change of notes to the eye, while, as the same keys are used, the instrument can mark no difference to the ear, as the substitution of A for G#.

r pertaining to the equator; as, equatorial climates; also, pertaining to an equatorial instrument.

One who, or that which, erases; esp., a sharp instrument or a piece of rubber used to erase writings, drawings, etc.

An attachment to a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument, for making the image erect instead of inverted.

An instrument for measuring energy in ergs.

An instrument for measuring and recording the work done by a single muscle or set of muscles, the rate of fatigue, etc. -- Er`go*graph"ic (#), a.