tool
tool / toōl/ • n. 1. a device or implement, esp. one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function: gardening tools. ∎ a thing used in an occupation or pursuit: computers are an essential tool the ability to write clearly is a tool of the trade. ∎ a person used or exploited by another: the beautiful Estella is Miss Havisham's tool. ∎ Comput. a piece of software that carries out a particular function, typically creating or modifying another program.2. a distinct design in the tooling of a book. ∎ a small stamp or roller used to make such a design.3. vulgar slang a man's penis. ∎ inf. a dull, slow-witted, or socially inept person.• v. 1. [tr.] (usu. be tooled) impress a design on (leather, esp. a leather book cover): volumes bound in green leather and tooled in gold. ∎ dress (stone) with a chisel.2. equip or be equipped with tools for industrial production: [tr.] the factory must be tooled to produce the models | [intr.] they were tooling up for production. 3. [intr.] inf. drive or ride in a casual or leisurely manner: tooling around town in a pink Rolls-Royce.DERIVATIVES: tool·er n.