tool 
tool (to̵̅o̅l)
noun
- 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
- any similar instrument that is the working part of a power-driven machine, as a drill, band-saw blade, etc.
- the whole machine; machine tool
- anything that serves in the manner of a tool; a means books are a scholar's tools
- a person used to accomplish another's purposes, esp. when these are illegal or unethical; dupe; stooge
- Slang the penis: somewhat vulgar
- Law any instrument or device necessary to one's profession or occupation
Etymology: ME toole < OE tol, akin to ON tol < ? IE base *deu- > taw
transitive verb
- to form, shape, or work with a tool
- to provide tools or machinery for (a factory, industry, etc.): often with up
- to drive (a vehicle)
- to convey (a person) in a vehicle
- to impress letters or designs on (leather, a book cover, etc.) with special tools
intransitive verb
- to use a tool or tools
- to get or install the tools, equipment, etc. needed: often with up
- to ride or drive in a vehicle
tool
n.
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.
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.
Converse of object
- authore: What advice would you give to someone who has choose an authoring tool to build a multimedia application?
- develop: Bobby is a tool developed by the Center for Applied Special Technology ( CAST ) in the US.
- edit: View Page Click to display the page without the editing tools.
- use: Sudoku puzzles online, or use the tool to print any Sudoku puzzle.
- learn: The Pizza Explorer - is fantastic learning tool created by Bruce Watkins from Purdue University.
- provide: The spatial linear model provides a powerful tool to model such behavior.
Adjective modifier
- powerful: The spatial linear model provides a powerful tool to model such behavior.
- useful: They are a useful tool for carrying out a wide range of activity.
- diagnostic: These will suit certain business models highlighted by our diagnostic tool.
- valuable: The WRAP eQuip scheme was therefore a valuable tool in enabling this project to be built.
- invaluable: In addition, a comprehensive glossary provides an invaluable reference tool.
- analytical: The technique is particularly powerful analytical tool for obtaining compositional depth profiles.
Modifies a noun
- kit: Each team member also received an individual tool kit.
- bar: The tools bar allows you to add new devices.
Noun used with modifier
- marketing: Word of mouth has proved to be a powerful marketing tool.
- software: We expect our software tools to be marketed at the end of the project.
- assessment: The council is offering free trials of the RoSPA Driver Profiler on-line risk assessment tool via the website.
- search: Search tools Having thought through your search strategy, you need to choose the best search tool to use.
- machine: Should small quantities of a product be required, individual machine tools are used.
- management: Q What can I do with the domain management tools?
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.
The computer is a fast idiot, it has no imagination; it cannot originate action. It is, and will remain, only a tool to man.
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.
A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.
Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders.
In manufacture and in handicrafts, the worker uses a tool; in the factory, he serves a machine.
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