1. A device, such as a saw, used to perform or facilitate manual or mechanical work.
2.
a. A machine, such as a lathe, used to cut and shape machine parts or other objects.
b. The cutting part of such a machine.
3. Something regarded as necessary to the carrying out of ones occupation or profession: Words are the tools of our trade.
4. Something used in the performance of an operation; an instrument: Modern democracies have the fiscal and monetary tools . . . to end chronic slumps and galloping inflations(Paul A. Samuelson).
5. Vulgar Slang A penis.
6. A person used to carry out the designs of another; a dupe.
7.
a. A bookbinders hand stamp.
b. A design impressed on a book cover by such a stamp.
8. Computer Science An application program, often one that creates, manipulates, modifies, or analyzes other programs.
v.tooled, tool·ing, tools
v.tr.
1. To form, work, or decorate with a tool.
2. To ornament (a book cover) with a bookbinders tool.
3. Slang To drive (a vehicle): tooled the car at 80 miles an hour.
v.intr.
1. To work with a tool.
2. Slang To drive or ride in a vehicle: tooled up and down the roads.
Phrasal Verb:
tool up
To provide an industry or a factory with machinery and tools suitable for a particular job.
[Middle English, from Old English tl, possibly from Old Norse.]
Synonyms: tool, instrument, implement, utensil, appliance These nouns refer to devices used in the performance of work. Tool applies broadly to a device that facilitates work; specifically it denotes a small manually operated device: a box full of tools for bike repair. Instrument refers especially to a relatively small precision tool used by trained professionals: sterilized the scalpel and the other instruments. Implement is the preferred term for tools used in agriculture and certain building trades: rakes, hoes, and other implements. Utensil often refers to an implement used in a household, especially in the kitchen: cooking utensils hung by the stove. Appliance most frequently denotes a power-driven device that performs a specific function: a store selling toasters and other appliances.
tool /tul/ n.1 an implement, such as a pair of pliers, screwdriver, hammer, or saw, used to make or repair things: He keeps his tools in the cellar.2 a person manipulated by others: She drove the getaway car in the bank robbery, but was only a tool of those who planned it.3slang s.o. who studies a lot: That tool is always in the library! v.1 [T] to decorate, make designs in s.t.: She tooled the leather belt with geometric designs.2 phrasal v. infrml. [I] to tool along: to drive fast and calmly: I tooled along on the highway until I reached Atlanta and a lot of traffic.3 phrasal v. [I] to tool up: to design and make manufacturing tools used to make products: Each year, automakers tool up for the next years new car models.
Thesaurus: tool n.1 an instrument, device | gadget | utensil 2 a dupe.
v. 1 [T] to decorate, make designs in s.t.: She tooled the leather belt with geometric designs. 2 phrasal v. infrml. [I] to tool along: to drive fast and calmly: I tooled along on the highway until I reached Atlanta and a lot of traffic. 3 phrasal v. [I] to tool up: to design and make manufacturing tools used to make products: Each year, automakers tool up for the next years new car models.
l)
l, possibly from Old Norse.]