Tool (?), n. [OE. tol,tool. AS. tOl; akin to Icel. tOl, Goth. taijan to do, to make, taui deed, work, and perhaps to E. taw to dress leather. √64.]

1.

An instrument such as a hammer, saw, plane, file, and the like, used in the manual arts, to facilitate mechanical operations; any instrument used by a craftsman or laborer at his work; an implement; as, the tools of a joiner, smith, shoe-maker, etc.; also, a cutter, chisel, or other part of an instrument or machine that dresses work.

2.

A machine for cutting or shaping materials; -- also called machine tool.

3.

Hence, any instrument of use or service.

That angry fool . . .
Whipping her horse, did with his smarting tool
Oft whip her dainty self.
Spenser.

4.

A weapon. [Obs.]

Him that is aghast of every tool.
Chaucer.

5.

A person used as an instrument by another person; -- a word of reproach; as, men of intrigue have their tools, by whose agency they accomplish their purposes.

I was not made for a minion or a tool.
Burks.

 

© Webster 1913


Tool (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. tooled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. tooling.]

1.

To shape, form, or finish with a tool. "Elaborately tooled." Ld. Lytton.

2.

To drive, as a coach. [Slang, Eng.]

 

© Webster 1913


Tool (tOOl), v. i. [Cf. Tool, v. t., 2.]

To travel in a vehicle; to ride or drive. [Colloq.]

Boys on their bicycles tooling along the well- kept roads.
Illust. American.

 

© Webster 1913