Literary notes about Instrumental (AI summary)
The word "instrumental" in literature frequently conveys the notion of a means or agency that plays a decisive role in producing an outcome. In narrative works, it is used to describe a person or factor that directly contributes to significant change or achievement, as when a character is portrayed as instrumental in passing legislation or influencing events [1, 2, 3]. In discussions of music, the term distinguishes non-vocal compositions from sung parts, while also referring to qualities essential for establishing particular moods or effects in performance [4, 5, 6]. In grammatical and philosophical contexts, "instrumental" also denotes the idea of a tool or intermediary—whether in the construction of language as seen in Latin grammar [7, 8] or in describing values and causes that serve as crucial stepping stones toward a larger end [9, 10].
- And, 3rdly, Goodness sufficient to support the happiness of others, when not only compatible with, but instrumental to his own.
— from History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding - I will only mention, in brief, the more important provisions he was instrumental in passing in the face of ridicule and violent opposition.
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I - Lady Castlemayne is instrumental in this matter, and, he say never more great with the King than she is now.
— from The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete by Samuel Pepys - Their music, vocal and instrumental, is excellent, and their preachers seek no pay from the Governor out of the taxes."
— from Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding - Mr. Edward Appleton was the soloist, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra furnished the instrumental music.
— from The Elements of Style by William Strunk - She has unusual ability in instrumental music.
— from Up from Slavery: An Autobiography by Booker T. Washington - The instrumental ablative is used to denote the amount of difference.
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - The instrumental ablative is used with verbs of measuring and of exchanging, and in expressions of value and price: as, 238 ( a. )
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - An instrumental value then has the intrinsic value of being a means to an end.
— from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey - This brings us to the matter of instrumental values—topics studied because of some end beyond themselves.
— from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey
