Middle English Dictionary Entry
instrū̆ment n.
Entry Info
| Forms | instrū̆ment n. Also jnstrument, instreument, enstrement. |
| Etymology | L instrūmentum & OF instrument, estrument. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A device operated by hand, a tool, an implement, a utensil; (b) a musical instrument; (c) a surgical instrument; (d) an instrument used in astronomy or astrology; (e) a weapon; also, a siege engine for attack or defense; place of instrumentes, an armory; also, a storage place for tools or utensils of any kind; (f) misc. uses: a wooden tower or framework; in pl.: the tackle of a ship; fishing gear.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)20/30 : Draw ther a lyne with a sharp instrument fro centre aryn vn to the closere of the signes.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.1119 : And this chanoun took out a crosselet..'This instrument,' quod he, 'which that thow seest, Taak in thyn honde.'
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)13b/a : Also þey bereþ..Inkehornes and oþir instrumentis of writtes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)162b/b : In tillyng of feldes was noyse of instrumentes, of cultures, of shares, and of mattockes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)331b/b : The vanne hatte ventilabrum and is instrument to vanne wiþ.
- a1400(?a1325) Bonav.Medit.(1) (Hrl 1701)884 : Ful feyn þey wulde Ihesu down taken, But strengþe and ynstrumentys boþe þey lakkyn.
- (1415) EEWills23/18 : I woll that Isabell, my wyfe, haue all the necessaries, clothes, braas, and other instrumentes of all myn houshold.
- (?1418) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)94/10 : She wold paye..for the sotell inst[r]umentes þat longen to his craft.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.631 : A wheston is no kervyng instrument.
- a1425 I þanke þe lorde (Roy 17.A.27)179 : Ȝese instrumentus þat here pertend beþ In memori of þi bittur deyt..help us to oure sauacioun.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)63b/b : Supellectile: instrument of hous.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)39/22 : With an Instrument of syluer he froteth the bones.
- c1425 *Wycl.Concord.(Roy 17.B.1)5b : An instrument wherwiþ we hewen clepen we an axe.
- (1428) EEWills82/21 : Y bequethe to Simkin aforseid all my mooldes & instrumentis to my craft longyng.
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)205 : Oþer some bryng forthe ledders and oþer Instrumentes.
- (1444) RParl.5.114a : Al manere of Wynes that have be made in the seid parties of Gascoyn and Guyen, in her makyng and in fillyng of Vessels, were woned and used to passe thurgh a Vessell or Instrument..so that there myght neither Clusters of Grapes, ne hole Grapes..entre in no wise into the Vessels.
- (1448) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1399 : Item, in monee assigned for Iren, steel, Nailles, and iren ware..for making, Amending, and Repairing of pikees, shouelles, and othere instrumentes of the seid werkemen.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)154 : Aftir þe knytis were goo þei abode stille til ioseph abarimathia & nichodemus and oþir mo com with ladderis and oþir instrumentis to take our lord down.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(1) (Med-L 136)50/114 : Take oyle of olyue and white wyne..& do hem togedir..with a spone or with an oþer instrument.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)2312 : He gat him instruments and corne, Spades þe erde forto delue.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)65b/a : Take a rasour or ony oþir scharp instrument & pare awey boþe þe brerdis of þilke wounde.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)1978 : She [Geometry] sat at lust wyth lymes, large and longe, Compas, rule, plombe, and many an instrument.
- a1500 O fresch floure (RwlPoet 36)23 : Youre Camusyd nose, with nose-thryllys brode, Vnto the chyrch a noble Instrument To quenche tapers brennyng afore the roode, ys best apropred at myne avysament.
b
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Wright)p.9 : As a fithele his wynges furde..Murie instrument [Ashm: enstrement] nevere nas.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.355 : Irische men beeþ connyng in tweie manere instrumentz of musyk, in harpe and tymbre þat is i-armed wiþ wire and wiþ strenges of bras.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.379 : Also þat tyme in Gres was i-founde vp an instrument of musyk þat hatte chorus.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.167 : The science of Musique..techeth upon Armonie A man to make melodie Be vois and soun of instrument.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.712 : Layes with hir instrumentz they songe.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)334a/b : Tibia is a pype and..was som tyme an instrument of deole & sorwe.
- a1400(c1340) Rolle Psalter (Hat 12)5/41 : Þis boke es called þe psauter, þe whilke name it has of a instrument of musyke þat in Ebru es Nablum.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1081 : For aungelles wyth instrumentes of organes and pypes, And rial ryngande rotes, and þe reken fyþel..Aboutte my Lady watz lent.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4137 : Þe schrille trumpettis wern y-reised loude..And many anoþer diuers instrument.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.2081 : Myn erys with wex & gommys clere Were stoppid so þat I ne myȝt here Touche nor werble of her instrumentis.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.459 : It was his sorwe upon hem for to sen, Or for to here on instruments so pleye.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)156/8 : And þan begynnen the Mynstrell to maken hire mynstralcie in dyuerse Instrumentes with all the melodye þat þei can deuyse.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)197 : Of instruments of strenges in acord, Herde I so pleye a ravyshyng swetnesse.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)314 : For instrument nor melodye Was nowhere herd yet half so swete.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)696 : Mo love-dayes and acordes Then on instrumentes be cordes.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)699 : Instrumentys she found first be kunnynge: Pypys, trumpys, and shalmvys loude blowynge.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)365 : Kynge dauyd..ordend syngers and players in dyuers musical instrumentis to serue byfore god in þe temple.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)11616 : I teche hem ek..To pleye on sondry Instrumentys, On harpe, lut, & on gyterne.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)150.2 : And thai haly men ere bitakynd in all there instreumentis of musyk.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)141/2 : The Sowle of a man hath delyte in instrumentys of myrth.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)58/13 : Hit fals to emperiale magestee to haue with hym pryue men and trewe, with whom he mowe delyt hym wyth Instrumentz and maners of Organes whanne he ys ennoyed.
- ?a1500 Job (Hnt HM 140)57 : The myrthes in Instrumentes with armony at the fest..So merely was toched, that both most and leste Joyed in god.
c
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)196b/b : A markyng instrument of siluer kepiþ from stynkynge and comforteþ feble membres.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)230b/a : An instrument þat hatte suringa.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)82/11 : A deep wounde is heelid wiþ castynge into þe depþe of þe wounde with an instrument maad to þe lijknesse of a clisterie.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)265/7 : Þou schalt haue a carterie wiþ ij pointis..& þou schalt make þe same instrument hoot in þe fier.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.3049 : Konnyngly þei [the surgeons] dide her craft echon To drawe it oute with her instrumentis.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2393 : She made first wassh his woundes smerte And serche hem wel with dyuers instrumentes.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)72b/b : Instrumentez capitalez beþ 6, And þer oweþ to be of euery fourme 3: more, lesse, & mene.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)98b/b : For þis ar founden canabulez & suspensoriez & instrumentz mechanic for to hold hem more fast & more siker.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)156b/a : A ventose forsoþ is a box or boisted instrument wiþ a streite mouþe and a large wombe.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)89a/b : Þer þat þu wolte take þi pointe, vnder sette it on þe toþer side with an holle instrument þat þi nedel mowe enteren in to.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)145b/b : Þou moste summe time cauterie þe superficie of þe sore wiþ ane instrument of golde, ffor why it rectifieþ þe member best.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)28a/b : If it open nouȝt by it self..be it oponed wiþ an Instrument, i. a sagitelle.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)155a/b : And he schal haue instrumentz couenable þerto.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)196/11 : Lete the pacient receyve the fume..at bothe erys thorow an in-strument ys cald embotum.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)63b/a : Thanne þou bigynnest to sewe, loke þat þou putte alwey þi instrument or þi penne aȝens þe poynt of þine nedele, so þat it entre sliȝly wiþinne þe concauite of þat instrument.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)104b/a : And aftir þat putte þerinne an holowe instrument lijk vnto a clisterie.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)160b/b : Drawe hem out with instrumentis maad þerfore and wiþ sutil twicchis or tongis.
d
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)18/22 : In proces of tyme may this plate be turned abowte after þat auges of planetes ben moeued in the 9 spere; thus may thin instrument laste perpetuel.
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)26/14 : The eccentrik of the sonne is compaced on the bord of the instrument.
- a1450(?c1430) Lydg.DM(1) (Hnt EL 26.A.13)282 : Come forthe maister that loken vp so ferre With instrumentis of astronomy To take the grees & hight of eueri sterre.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)419 : An astronomyer makiþ an instrument which is called a speer, counterfetyng al þe greet world.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)introd.20 : Alle the conclusions that han be founde..in so noble an instrument as is an Astrelabie ben unknowe parfitly to eny mortal man in this regioun.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)87 : For wel woot every astrologien that smallist fraccions ne wol not be shewid in so small an instrument as in subtile tables calculed for a cause.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.3.69 : I shuld come to the houre of the nyght, and to myn ascendent, as verrely as may be taken by so smal an instrument.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.26.30 : By mediacioun of thilke ascensions these astrologiens, by her tables and her instrumentes, knowen verreily the ascensioun of every degre.
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)154/31 : Aristotle helde in his hande an instrument of sterres.
e
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)8/6 : Sche roof hir skyn on hir body a-ȝen hir hert wyth hir nayles spetowsly, for sche had noon oþer instrumentys.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)4a : He nombreþ and rekenith vp alle manere gynnes and instrumentis wiþ whiche citees..mowe ben assayled oþer defendid.
- ?c1450 Trivet Constance (Harv Eng.938)p.234 : He skypped aboute the house as a woodman, un-to the tyme that he had founde the knyfe..And than before all folke he shewed the instrument of that felony wythe an huge noyse and crye.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.357 : Berenge in theire honde an instrumente callede a sparth.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)67b : A place of jnstrumentes: locus vbi reponuntur arma, Armamentum, Armarium.
- a1486 Ordin.Lists in RS 55.1 (Lnsd 285)317 : Thou swerest that thou ne havest ne shalt have..long swerde, shorte swerde, and dagger..nor noon othir instrument.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)111/23,25 : If þou shall assayll castels, vse Instrumentz castyng stones, as Mangoles or Perrerers, and make moo of hem after þou hauys mester, and oþer Instrumentz perceaunt & lanceaunt, and arwes and dartys.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)447 : All these instrumentis for the werre wrouht, Yif werr stynt shuld serue of nouht.
f
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 27.19 : And the thridde day with her hondis thei castiden awey the instrumentis [L armamenta] of the schipp.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)138a/a : Aristotel seiþ þat fisscheris heldiþ hot water on here instrumentis and takeles [L instrumenta].
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)23 : After that thay..cam till a place wher was set ane heghe ynstrument of tymbire, upon which balastriars and bowyers usyn to hong thare harnysshid bowes to drie ayanst the sunne.
2.
(a) A part or organ of the body performing a certain function; esp. an organ as the tool of one of the senses, of a mental faculty, etc.; the body or part of the body as an instrument of the soul; (b) one of the five senses as a tool of the imagination, etc.; natural heat as an instrument of nature.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.132 : Wher with sholde he make his paiement If he ne vsed his sely instrument?
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.149 : In wyfhode wol I vse myn instrument As frely as my makere hath it sent.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)21a/b : Þe fifþe braunche..comeþ in bowes to þe instrumentis of touchin & spredeþ into al þe body.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)25a/a : Aier..smitiþ þe gristilbon, þe firste instrument and lyme of þe heringe.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)37a/a : Þe membres and þe lymes serueþ to fele..& beþ þe instrumentis of þe soule, as hoond, foot, & eiȝe.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)48a/b : By swift meuynge of þe aier and by strecchinge of þe instrumentis of þe voys, soun is I-maad þat comeþ forth in þe mouþ of a beest.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)260b/b : In briddes and foules superfluitees of moysture passeþ in to feþeres..and in fissche in to schelles..and þerfore hem nedeþ non instrument to fonge sup[er]fluite of moysture.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)315a/a : Þe instrument of tast is y-greued, and so sauour is bitter.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)113/6 : Þe forþere partie of þe brayn is greet & brood..for þat place is propre instrument of ymagynacioun.
- (a1400) *Barton's Urines (Sln 280)f.282r : Summe men han gret lykyng, but her instrument wil not stonde, & þis is for þai han grete hete in þe lyuer & litel spirit in þe hert.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.5.6 : Qualites of bodies that ben object fro withoute-forth moeven and entalenten the instrumentz of the wittes.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)11b/a : Þe eien bene instrumentz of siȝt.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)37a/a : And þei be cleped Organica & instrumentalia, forwhie þei be þe instrumentes of þe soule, as þe hondes, þe face, þe herte, and þe liuer.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)39b/a : Þe firste is be cause of grace of felinge in þe organes oþere instrumentes of a man, þe whiche ben sensitiue oþer felinge; Anoþer is be cause of meuyng in þo instrumentes þat ben motiue oþer steringe.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)19a/b : The stomak or þe wombe is þe instrument of þe firste digestioun.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)19b/a : The lyuer is þe instrument of þe secounde digestioun and gendrer of blode.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.738 : The Grekis seyn that the lift instrument, The lift stoon, of this bolis..Knytte hym fast in his porce & let hym honge, In coitu, and he shal gendre malis.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)110 : In ful greet sijknes, whanne þe sensual inward and outward wittis ben not hurtid in her instrumentis neiþer troublid in her subserving to resoun wiþ stronge and inaccordyng humoris or distemperat qualitees, þe resoun haþ more fre vss in resonyng þan he haþ in tyme of helþe.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)114 : Mannys soule is so fre fro þe body..þat he vsiþ not þe hool body neiþer eny party of þe hool body as an instrument or a þing necessarie into þe vse and worchingis of resoun.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)195/5 : Yff þe in-strumentis off þe syȝth ben in-hurte..make a playster on þe eye off termentyll brayed and sodyn in wyȝte wyne.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)15a/a : Brawn..is maad of fleisch, senewe, & ligament, whiche ben instrumentis of voluntarie meuynge.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)17a/a : Beestis þat han noon heed han þe organ or þe instrument of alle oþere wittis in þe brest.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)27a/a : Þe tunge..is an instrument of speche.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)41b/a : Matrix..is an instrument of generacoun lijk vn to þe instrument of þe generacioun of a man but þat it is turned ynward.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.1790 : Why shold she thanne haue ony shame If she can ony goodly man esspie With hir croked instrument encrees and multeplie?
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)79/32 : Cold water dronkyn yn wynter slekyns þe naturell hete and destruys þe Instrumentz of þe brest & harmys þe longys.
b
- a1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)116/6 : Ymaginacion & sensualite..worchen in þe body wiþ bodely instrumentes, þe whiche ben oure fiue wittes.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)240/35 : He fedyth the kyndely hette, whych is the Instrument of nature to turne the mettis and the drynkis into fleshe, blode, and bonys.
3.
A written document by which formal expression is given to a legal act; a decree, an agreement; a contract, a title deed, etc.; ?also, a formal summons.
Associated quotations
- (1426) Paston2.27 : I have..doon dewely examyned the instrument by the wysest I coude fynde here..Al this processe, though it were in dede proceded as the instrument specifieth, is not suffisant in the lawe of Holy Cherche.
- (1447) Doc.N.Convocation in Sur.Soc.113178 : Who so ever bring one of the said processes, sentences, instruments, and bulls into the Reme of Englande..shal be putt oute of the Kings protection.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)131/21 : Þe ix inche is a fals notarye, þat makyth false letterys, libellys, or false actys, instrumentys, or ony oþer thyng to hym.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.100/14 : And to more Surete of þe þyng, all Instrumentes and munimentes to þe saide londis and tenementes þat I haue, afore worþy men I have deliuered.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.111/27,28 : As hit appereth by his open instrument to ȝow and by ȝow to ȝowr church as in that Instrument fully Is i-conteyned.
- (1461) Invent.Monk-Wear.in Sur.Soc.29app.246 : I command..yat ye priour..apper..befor ye auditor..with all and all maner instrumentis, euidence, munimentis, and sedull touching or in ony maner of wise continyng ye said chapell titell and lefull possession yerof.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)191 : Thei were counceled..that thei schuld not notifie this to the Kyng, ȝet this knyte..because he was a notarie, he mad upon this a open instrument.
- (1473) Paston (Gairdner)5.199 : I most have myn instrumentes hydder, whyche are in the chyst in my chambre at Norwyche.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)587/14 : Hit is I-shewed by this present Instrument openly to all men that..ser Thomas Fraunceys..knowleched..at the parissh chirch of lamyete..was pensionary in one mark.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)588/19 : The said Thomas..requyred instantly an open notary to make one or mo Instrumentis.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)186/11 : And for more grettyr Surte, thay bounde ham in grete Somes by dyvers Instrumentes, to Pay to the Popys Chamer, to trewely kepe and holde hare legeaunce in the fourme aforsayde.
4.
(a) A means by which something is done or effected; what is used for the accomplishment of something; (b) a person whose actions are prescribed by another, an agent.
Associated quotations
a
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)112 : Thei that procuren siche lige men to defraude the king..defrauden the king in nedeful instrumentis to the gouernaunce of the rewme.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.568 : My wyl was his willes instrument; This is to seyn, my wyl obeyed his wil.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)3139 : Bot þat fire..es An instrument of Goddes ryghtwysnes, Thurgh wilk þe saule most clensed be.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)0b/a : Cyrurgie..is a science of curyng sikenes in þe which falleþ..manuale operacioun with oute excluding of þe toþer tvo instrumentez of medicyne, videlicet, of pocioun & of diete.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)1a/a : Instrumentz medicinals bene gouernaunce & pocions & sanguinacions, vnguentez, emplastres, and puluerez.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)121a/b : Nature mowe with medicinel instrumentes and helpe of þe surgene make þe restauracioun of þe member.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)78.26 (v.2:p.76) : She wolde .. sadly ammonestyn hem to remembraunce how, sith thei had herd the matrimonyal tablis rehercid as instrumentis by which thei were ordeyned to ben .. handmaydens, thei aught not to grucchen ageyns her husbondis.
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)150/23 : Wisedome myght not excuse him from þe forsaid science as long as reason is instrument of þe science.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)56b/b : Surgerie is þe laste instrument of medicyne.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)57a/a : Þer ben iij maneris of instrumentis, þat is to witen, Diete, Pocioun, & Surgerie; And as Galien witnessiþ of þese iij instrumentis þe moste vertuous & þe mooste noble is diete.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)9.15 : His synnes turnes in till pyne, swa that thynge that is delite till man synnand is instrument til god punyschand.
- a1500 Counsels Isidor (Hrl 1706)368 : Drynke forsoþe ys þe instrumente of lecherye.
- c1500 As Reson Rywlyde (Rwl C.86)86 : Thou tree, thou crosse, howe durst thou be The Instrument to hong thy maker soo?
- a1550 *Norton OAlch.(BodeMus 63)1644 : ConIoine your elementes grammattycallye with all their concordes convenientlye, whiche Accordes to helpe A clerke be cheife instrumentes of all this werke.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.370 : O Sathan..Thyn instrument..Makestow of wommen whan thou wolt bigile.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1483 : For som tyme we been goddes instrumentz And meenes to doon his comandementz.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)129/7 : I procede in þis maner..bisekynge alwey help of god, þe which þat haþ heelid mo men bi myn hondis, þat am his instrument, þan haue ben deed.
- c1400 Wycl.Dominion (Dub 244)293 : Ech creature þat telliþ a man a treuþe is instrument of god to schewe him þis truþe.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)44.2 : I am noght bot as his instrument whaim he ledis as he will.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. instrument.