noun

1. a short prayer generally preceding the lesson in the Church of Rome or the Church of England

noun

1. the means whereby some act is accomplished

e.g. my greed was the instrument of my destruction
science has given us new tools to fight disease

Synonym: tool

2. a device that requires skill for proper use

3. any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds

Synonym: musical instrument

4. the semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process

Synonym: instrumental role

5. (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right

Synonym: legal documentlegal instrumentofficial document

6. a person used by another to gain an end

Synonym: pawncat's-paw

noun

1. a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)

e.g. sailing is her favorite pastime
his main pastime is gambling
he counts reading among his interests
they criticized the boy for his limited pursuits

Synonym: pastimepursuit

2. a reason for wanting something done

e.g. for your sake
died for the sake of his country
in the interest of safety
in the common interest

Synonym: sake

3. the power of attracting or holding one's attention (because it is unusual or exciting etc.)

e.g. they said nothing of great interest
primary colors can add interest to a room

Synonym: interestingness

4. a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

e.g. an interest in music

Synonym: involvement

5. (usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims

e.g. the iron interests stepped up production

Synonym: interest group

6. (law) a right or legal share of something
a financial involvement with something

e.g. they have interests all over the world
a stake in the company's future

Synonym: stake

7. a fixed charge for borrowing money
usually a percentage of the amount borrowed

e.g. how much interest do you pay on your mortgage?

noun

1. musical activity (singing or whistling etc.)

e.g. his music was his central interest

2. punishment for one's actions

e.g. you have to face the music
take your medicine

Synonym: medicine

3. any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds

e.g. he fell asleep to the music of the wind chimes

Synonym: euphony

4. (music) the sounds produced by singers or musical instruments (or reproductions of such sounds)

5. an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

adj

1. having substance or material existence
perceptible to the senses

e.g. a physical manifestation
surrounded by tangible objects

2. concerned with material things

e.g. physical properties
the physical characteristics of the earth
the physical size of a computer

3. impelled by physical force especially against resistance

e.g. forcible entry
a real cop would get physical
strong-arm tactics

Synonym: forciblestrong-arm

4. characterized by energetic bodily activity

e.g. a very physical dance performance

5. according with material things or natural laws (other than those peculiar to living matter)

e.g. a reflex response to physical stimuli

6. involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

e.g. physical exercise
physical suffering
was sloppy about everything but her physical appearance

7. relating to the sciences dealing with matter and energy
especially physics

e.g. physical sciences
physical laws

noun

1. self-propelled movement

Synonym: locomotion

2. the act of going from one place to another

e.g. he enjoyed selling but he hated the travel

Synonym: travelingtravelling

3. a movement through space that changes the location of something

Synonym: change of location

adj

1. providing personal satisfaction

e.g. a rewarding career as a paramedic