tool

English

/tuːl/

noun
Definitions
  • A mechanical device intended to make a task easier.
  • Equipment used in a profession, e.g., tools of the trade.
  • Something to perform an operation; an instrument; a means.
  • (computing) A piece of software used to develop software or hardware, or to perform low-level operations.
  • A person or group which is used or controlled, usually unwittingly, by another person or group.
  • (vulgar) Penis.
  • (by extension) An obnoxious or uptight person.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English tool inherited from Old English tōl (that with which one prepares something, implement, instrument, tool) inherited from Proto-Germanic *tōlą (tool) derived from Proto-Indo-European *dewh₂- (tie to, secure, fit, be able, arrange) suffix from English taw (prepare).

Origin

English

taw

Gloss

prepare

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms