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A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena.

A kind of small simple wind instrument.

An instrument of eight strings; a system of eight tones. [Also written octochord.]

An instrument for measuring angles (generally called a quadrant), having an arc which measures up to 9Oº, but being itself the eighth part of a circle. Cf. Sextant.

A composition for eight parts, usually for eight solo instruments or voices.

The eyepiece of an optical instrument, as of a telescope or microscope.

An instrument attached to the wheel of a vehicle, to measure the distance traversed; also, a wheel used by surveyors, which registers the miles and rods traversed.

An instrument for marking or laying off the outlines of teeth of gear wheels.

An instrument for indicating directly resistance in ohms.

An instrument for ascertaining the weight and purity of oil; an elaiometer.

An instrument for measuring the rain that falls; a rain gauge.

An instrument for registering the changes observable with an oncometer.

An instrument for measuring the variations in size of the internal organs of the body, as the kidney, spleen, etc.

The opening of an abscess, or the removal of a tumor, with a cutting instrument. [Written also onkotomy.] Dunglison.

An instrument for autographically recording the wave forms of varying currents, esp. rapidly varying alternating currents.

Applied to a signature when the body of the instrument is in another's handwriting. Burrill.

An instrument, consisting of a tube having one end open and the other end covered with a thin flexible membrance to the center of which is attached a small mirror. It is used for exhibiting upon a screen, by means of rays reflected from the mirror, the vibratory motions caused by sounds produced at the open end of the…

Not closed or stopped with the finger; -- said of the string of an instrument, as of a violin, when it is allowed to vibrate throughout its whole length.

An instrument or machine for measuring work done, especially for ascertaining the number of rotations made by a machine or wheel in manufacturing cloth; a counter. Ure.

To perform some manual act upon a human body in a methodical manner, and usually with instruments, with a view to restore soundness or health, as in amputation, lithotomy, etc.