deed vs instrument

deed

noun
  • An action or act; something that is done. 

  • A legal instrument that is executed under seal or before witnesses. 

  • A brave or noteworthy action; a feat or exploit. 

  • Action or fact, as opposed to rhetoric or deliberation. 

verb
  • To transfer real property by deed. 

instrument

noun
  • A means or agency for achieving an effect. 

  • A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will. 

  • A device used to produce music. 

  • A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement. 

  • A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal. 

  • A measuring or displaying device. 

verb
  • To devise, conceive, cook up, plan. 

  • To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument. 

  • To apply measuring devices. 

How often have the words deed and instrument occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )