• Instrumentality

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /ɪnstɹʊmÉ›nˈtalɪti/

    Origin

    From instrumental + -ity.

    Full definition of instrumentality

    Noun

    instrumentality

    (plural instrumentalities)
    1. (uncountable) The quality or condition of being instrumental; serving a purpose, being useful.
      • 1902, William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience, Folio Society 2008, p. 294:In a later vision the Saviour revealed to her in detail the ‘great design’ which he wished to establish through her instrumentality.
    2. (countable, legal) A governmental organ with a specific purpose.
    3. (countable) Something that is instrumental; an instrument
      • 1838, American Anti-Slavery Society, The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4 Chapter , He spoke of the various instrumentalities which were now employed for the conversion of the world.
      • 1873, Helen Hunt Jackson, Bits About Home Matters Chapter , Delays and failures will only set her to casting about for new instrumentalities.
      • 1914, Samuel F. B. Morse, Samuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals Chapter , God works by instrumentalities, and he has wonderfully thus far interposed in keeping evils that I feared in abeyance.
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