Instrumentalize

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To employ something as a tool or device for achieving a particular purpose or goal ; to write or adapt music so that it can be performed by musical instruments
2. To treat or use something in a purely functional way to accomplish an objective ; to arrange a musical composition for performance on specific instruments
3. To make use of something as an instrument or means toward a desired end ; to orchestrate or score music for instrumental performance

Etymology: "Instrumentalize" is a straightforward formation: the adjective "instrumental" (from "instrument," ultimately from Latin "instrumentum," a tool or equipment) with the suffix "-ize," which turns a word into a verb meaning "to make into or treat as" the thing described. To instrumentalize something is to treat it as a means to an end, using it as a tool rather than valuing it for its own sake. The suffix has a longer pedigree than the word it attaches to. The "-ize" ending passed from Ancient Greek through Late Latin and Middle French into Middle English as "-isen," and it became the familiar "-ize" in English. Its job is to build verbs out of nouns and adjectives, which is why English can generate new verbs like this one so readily.

Synonyms: exploit, utilize, use