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A double-lens instrument for measuring slight variations of the sun's diameter by photography, utilizing the common chord of two overlapping images.

An instrument for measuring the intensity of light, or, more especially, for comparing the relative intensities of different lights, or their relative illuminating power.

An instrument for registering the movements of the diaphragm, or midriff, in respiration.

An instrument for measuring vocal sounds. Whewell.

A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the harpsichord, and consisting of a sreies of wires of graduated length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by keys. Dumb piano. See Digitorium. -- Grand piano. See under Grand. -- Square piano, one with a horizontal frame and an oblong case. -- Uprig…

A wind instrument or pipe, with a horn at each end, -- used in Wales.

, as a bird with its beak; to strike at with anything pointed; to act upon with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to prick, as with a pin.

An instrument for picking locks. Shak.

Full; having all the instruments.

To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. "I pierce . . . her tender side." Dryden.

An instrument used in forming eyelets; a stiletto.

or by a point; perforating; penetrating; keen; -- used also figuratively; as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. "Piercing eloquence." Shak. -- Pier"cing*ly, adv. -- Pier"cing*ness, n.

An instrument for measuring the compressibility of liquids.

An instrument for detecting the compass error.

A peg in musical instruments, for increasing or relaxing the tension of the strings.

queeze between the ends of the fingers, between teeth or claws, or between the jaws of an instrument; to squeeze or compress, as between any two hard bodies.

An instrument having two handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot; -- used for griping things to be held fast, drawing nails, etc.

n; also, the style of decoration; scallops made with a pinking iron. Pinking iron. (a) An instrument for scalloping the edges of ribbons, flounces, etc. (b) A sword. [Colloq.]

An instrument of torture, consisting of a board with holes into which the fingers were pressed, and fastened with pegs. [Written also pilliewinkles.] [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

A wind instrument of music, consisting of a tube or tubes of straw, reed, wood, or metal; any tube which produces musical sounds; as, a shepherd's pipe; the pipe of an organ. "Tunable as sylvan pipe." Milton. Now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe. Shak.