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To play on an instrument of music, or as on an instrument, in an unskillful or noisy way; to thrum; as, to strum a piano.

Scrofula.

Scrofulous; strumous.

Strumous.

Scrofulous; having struma.

The state of being strumous.

Of or pertaining to a strumpet; characteristic of a strumpet. Out on thy more than strumpet impudence. B. Jonson.

A rude musical instrument somewhat like a cittern. [R.] Dampier.

A flower bud. Gray.

Antistrumous. -- n.

Good against scrofulous disorders. Johnson. Wiseman.

A comblike structure on the metatarsus of the hind legs of certain spiders (Ciniflonidæ), used to curl certain fibers in the construction of their webs.

A thin lamina of gray matter in each cerebral hemiphere of the brain of man. -- Claus"tral, a.

The first milk secreted after delivery; biestings.

An instrument out of tune or rudely constructed; music badly played.

any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments. All the lofty instruments of war. Shak.

Acting as an instrument; serving as a means; contributing to promote; conductive; helpful; serviceable; as, he was instrumental in conducting the business. The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more instrumental to the mouth. Shak.

on of truth is its utility, or that truth is genuine only in so far as it is a valuable instrument. -- In`stru*men"tal*ist, n.

One who plays upon an instrument of music, as distinguished from a vocalist.

The quality or condition of being instrumental; that which is instrumental; anything used as a means; medium; agency. The instrumentality of faith in justification. Bp. Burnet. The discovery of gunpowder developed the science of attack and defense in a new instrumentality. J. H. Newman.