tool Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an implement used in the practice of a vocation
noun the means whereby some act is accomplished
instrument.
- my greed was the instrument of my destruction
- science has given us new tools to fight disease
noun a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else
puppet; creature.
noun obscene terms for penis
shaft; prick; cock; dick; putz; peter; pecker.
verb drive
- The convertible tooled down the street
verb ride in a car with no particular goal and just for the pleasure of it
joyride; tool around.
- We tooled down the street
verb furnish with tools
verb work with a tool

OE. tol,tool. AS. tl; akin to Icel. tl, Goth. taijan to do, to make, taui deed, work, and perhaps to E. taw to dress leather.

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.
A machine for cutting or shaping materials; -- also called machine tool.
Hence, any instrument of use or service.
That angry fool . . . Whipping her house, did with his amarting tool Oft whip her dainty self. Spenser.
A weapon. Obs.
Him that is aghast of every tool. Chaucer.
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.

imperfect & past participle tooled ; present participle & verbal noun tooling