tool
/tuːl
/noun
1A device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function: gardening tools...
- There will be exhibitors offering garden furniture, pots, wickerwork, gardening tools and implements old and new, wrought ironwork and various craft stalls.
- The divers teamed up in groups of two or three, and each group carried with them cutting tools and lift bags.
- Implements, tools, and equipment should be cleaned of soil and root debris before moving them to non-infested fields.
Synonyms
implement, instrument, utensil, device, apparatus, gadget, appliance, machine, contrivance, contraption, mechanism, aid
informal gimmick, gizmo
(tools) hardware, equipment, gear, kit, tackle, paraphernalia
1.1A thing used to help perform a job: computers are an essential tool the ability to write clearly is a tool of the trade...
- Models and monitored performance are essential management tools.
- It is not executive vanity, but a tool of the trade.
- As with any occupation, professionals need the right tools to perform their jobs effectively.
1.2A person used or exploited by another: the beautiful Estella is Miss Havisham’s tool...
- He would follow instructions and became a tool to be exploited.
Synonyms
dupe, puppet, pawn, minion, lackey, flunkey, instrument, henchman, creature, cat's paw
informal stooge, sucker, poodle
1.3 Computing A piece of software that carries out a particular function, typically creating or modifying another program.The companies are working with open-source compiler developers to create software development tools for programmers....
- Developers will be offered co-marketing money, free software and developer tools.
- These tools exploit the file structure of operating systems to recover ‘evidence’ that can be used in court.
2A distinct design in the tooling of a book.
2.1A small stamp or roller used to make a tooled design.The drawing was removed, and a variety of modeling tools were used to tool the foil in relief.
3 vulgar slang A man’s penis.
3.1A stupid, irritating, or contemptible man: that guy is such a tool...
- The man was a total tool, who inexplicably has his own column in a national women's magazine.
- He looked like such a tool I just wanted to go up and slap some sense into him, "Dude, not only do you not look cool, you look like a jackass!"
- He had to be content with yelling abuse at us instead - what a tool!
verb
1 [with object] Impress a design on (leather, especially a leather book cover): volumes bound in green leather and tooled in gold...
- It's really a beautiful little piece of work, bound in leather that's been tooled with a lovely design of roses and vines.
- Houdini's diaries took up an entire shelf - about a dozen volumes, each boxed in an expensive leather slipcase, gold tooled - a treasure surely worth a few hundred thousand dollars.
- Franklin has tooled the design himself: a rectangle within a rectangle within a rectangle of gold, the inner and the middle joined at the corners with floral rolls.
2Equip or be equipped with tools for industrial production: [with object]: the factory must be tooled to produce the models [no object]: they were tooling up for production...
- One of the most disheartening things was to go into that prison and see a massive carpentry shop - fully equipped and fully tooled - empty.
- A fully tooled factory could turn out several hundred models a week, if necessary.
- Apparently, they're tooling up for hardware production in May.
2.1 (tool up or be tooled up) British informal Be or become armed, especially for criminal activity: they were tooled up with baseball bats...
- It is not just a case of vandalism - whoever stole them obviously went tooled up.
- The suppliers of drugs do not have this choice, so they tool up to protect their trade from intruders or competitors.
- Britain rode out the US depression relatively unscathed, however, others were jockeying for position and tooling up for war.
3 [no object, with adverbial of direction] informal, chiefly North American Drive or ride in a casual or leisurely manner: tooling around town in a pink Rolls-Royce...
- The rest of the song was enough on its own, but that line was always good for some weird looks when my friend Charlotte and I were tooling around town screaming along.
- I haven't driven in well over year - not since I went to Kentucky for Christmas 2000 and tooled around town in my mom's car.
- But I think it would be fun to have one to tool around town, just about anywhere.
Synonyms
drive, bowl, ride, motor, travel
informal spin
4 [with object] Dress (stone) with a chisel.Long gone are the tooled finishes from hand-held chisels that could render differences in texture across the face of a stone block, or from one stone to the next.
Synonyms
ornament, embellish, decorate, work, shape, cut, chase, dress, fashion
Derivatives
tooler
- This, in turn, fuelled an entire production industry - typesetters, printers, engravers, binders, leather toolers, booksellers, print makers and sellers - to service this new domain of culture.
- Our staff of highly skilled engineers and toolers surpassed even their own imaginations.
- Gender is of no difference here, but most toolers are between 20 and 60 years of age.
Origin
Old English tōl, from a Germanic base meaning 'prepare'; compare with taw1. The verb dates from the early 19th century.