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tool definition

tool (to̵̅o̅l)

noun

  1. any implement, instrument, or utensil held in the hand and used to form, shape, fasten, add to, take away from, or otherwise change something by cutting, hitting, digging, rubbing, etc.: knives, saws, hammers, shovels, rakes, etc. are tools
    1. any similar instrument that is the working part of a power-driven machine, as a drill, band-saw blade, etc.
    2. the whole machine; machine tool
  3. anything that serves in the manner of a tool; a means books are a scholar's tools
  4. a person used to accomplish another's purposes, esp. when these are illegal or unethical; dupe; stooge
  5. Slang the penis: somewhat vulgar
  6. Law any instrument or device necessary to one's profession or occupation
    in full tools of one's trade

Etymology: ME toole < OE tol, akin to ON tol < ? IE base *deu- > taw

transitive verb

  1. to form, shape, or work with a tool
  2. to provide tools or machinery for (a factory, industry, etc.): often with up
    1. to drive (a vehicle)
    2. to convey (a person) in a vehicle
  4. to impress letters or designs on (leather, a book cover, etc.) with special tools

intransitive verb

  1. to use a tool or tools
  2. to get or install the tools, equipment, etc. needed: often with up
  3. to ride or drive in a vehicle

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

tool Synonyms

tool

n.

  1. An implement

    implement, utensil, machine, instrument, mechanism, weapon, apparatus, appliance, engine, means, contrivance, gadget; see also device 1.

    Common tools include: can opener, hammer, mallet, knife, adz, vise, auger, lathe, router, sander, scraper, trowel, awl, hoe, shovel, rake, spade, jack, crank, pulley, wheel, bar, crowbar, lever, sledge, winch, cam, loom, shuttle, chisel, plane, screw, brace, bit, file, saw, drill, square, chisel, shears, screwdriver, wrench, pliers, tweezers, punch, level, scissors, ax, hatchet, corkscrew, jimmy.

  2. One who permits himself to be used

    accessory, auxiliary, accomplice, hireling, dupe, intermediary, cat's-paw, medium, vehicle, agent, go-between, messenger, easy mark, stool pigeon*, jay*, hayseed*, greenhorn*, sucker*, patsy*, stooge*, come-on*, tuna*; see also servant.

tool is commonly applied to manual implements such as are used in carpentry, plumbing, etc.; implement applies to any device used to carry on some work or effect some purpose agricultural implements; instrument specifically implies use for delicate work or for scientific or artistic purposes surgical instruments and may also be applied, as are tool and implement, to a thing or person serving as a means to an end; appliance specifically suggests a mechanical or power-driven device, esp. one for household use; utensil is used of any implement or container for domestic use, esp. a pot, pan, etc.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

tool Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • authore: What advice would you give to someone who has choose an authoring tool to build a multimedia application?

Adjective modifier

  • powerful: The spatial linear model provides a powerful tool to model such behavior.

Modifies a noun

  • kit: Each team member also received an individual tool kit.

Noun used with modifier

  • marketing: Word of mouth has proved to be a powerful marketing tool.
tool usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

tool quotes

The computer is a fast idiot, it has no imagination; it cannot originate action. It is, and will remain, only a tool to man.

-American LibraryAssociation

And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said,These be thy gods,O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

-Bible (Old Testament)

The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulationof words.If youcan control themeaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.

-Dick, Philip K(indred)

tool quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"tool." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/tool>

APA Style

tool. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/tool

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