Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.

Tool

Definition: Tool

Tool

Noun

1. An implement used in the practice of a vocation.

2. The means whereby some act is accomplished; "my greed was the instrument of my destruction"; "science has given us new tools to fight disease".

3. A person who is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else.

4. Obscene terms for penis.

Verb

1. Informal: drive (a vehicle); "The convertible tooled down the street".

2. Ride in a car with no particular goal and just for the pleasure of it.

3. Furnish with tools.

4. Work with a tool.

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

Date "tool" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1258. (references)

 

Specialty Definition: Tool

DomainDefinition

Computing

Tool 1. n. A program used primarily to create, manipulate, modify, or analyze other programs, such as a compiler or an editor or a cross-referencing program. Oppose app, operating system; see also toolchain. 2. [Unix] An application program with a simple, `transparent' (typically text-stream) interface designed specifically to be used in programmed combination with other tools (see filter, plumbing). 3. [MIT: general to students there] vi. To work; to study (connotes tedium). The TMRC Dictionary defined this as "to set one's brain to the grindstone". See hack. 4. n. [MIT] A student who studies too much and hacks too little. (MIT's student humor magazine rejoices in the name "Tool and Die".). Source: Jargon File.

Mechanical Engineering

Any machine used to work workpieces. According to BS, the term "machine tool" does not include portable electric tools. Source: European Union. (references)
 To transform a workpiece, either by cutting-i. e. by stock removal or shearing-or by plastic deformation, principally with the object of shaping it. Furthermore:to subject a workpiece to physico-chemical action, such as welding or glueing. A workpiece is generally "worked" by exposing it to the action of a tool. Source: European Union. (references)
 A simple device, hand-or power-operated. In engineering practice, the term "tool" chiefly comprises tools used to work materials("tool"); in loose usage and in connection with suitable modifiers, it may denote also simple measuring instruments and holding devices(and even "machine tools"). Source: European Union. (references)

Slang

Adjective. Source: Perhaps derives form the implication that tools(hardware) are clunky. Definition: Someone who is dorky, ugly, or not physically appealing. Context: Usually said behind someone's back after they are introduced for the first time. Social Source: Alpha Chi Omega. Source: Compiled by The University of Oregon. (additional references)
 Adjective. Source: Comes from the noun tool. Definition: Hardware used to fix something, such as a hammer. Context: Used when describing someone who have no respect for. Social Source: Bend High School Class of 1999-2000 . Source: Compiled by The University of Oregon. (additional references)

Slang in 1811

TOOL. The instrument of any person or faction, a cat's paw. See CATS PAW. Source: 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Specialty Definition: Tool

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

A tool is a device used to augment a species' natural abilities. The most basic tools are the simple machines.

Although tools were once thought to be used only by humans, it has been observed that chimpanzees and other animals, mostly primates, but also for instance ravens, are able to use them as well.

Norse knife (photo Uwe Kils)

Knives are amongst the oldest tools and have been fabricated since the stone age.

Most tools can also be used as weapons, such as the hammer and knife. Similarly, weapons, such as explosives can be used as tools.

List of tools:

An instrument is a concrete or abstract tool, in particular a refined one.

Toy tools are popular. Some are essentially similar to the real thing, and just a cheap and/or small version, for example a shovel and bucket to use on the beach and in the sandbox. Others are less functional, e.g. a dull plastic knife, or not functional at all.

In computing, software programs that assist people doing work on computers are also called tools, such as Computer Aided Software Engineering tool, Lint programming tool, software or web-based collaborative tools, software development tools, programming tools.

Popular Aphorisms

History

Use of tools started at the beginning of the Stone age.

Other usages

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Tool (band)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

'Tool\' was formed in 1989 by vocalist Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones, bassist Paul D'Amour, and drummer Danny Carey. They are a contemporary American rock band whose music includes elements of heavy metal and art rock.

Indicative of their varied and far-reaching influences (chiefly King Crimson), their music features complex harmonic structures, unconventional time signatures, and borderline New Age subject matter. They may be the only popular musical group to have recorded songs about the mutation of DNA and geometric plane curves. D'Amour left the band in 1995 and was replaced by Justin Chancellor of the UK band Peach in time for Tool's 1995 album Ænima. Tool has long clashed with conventional television and radio due to their dark musical content and dry disposition: their first single from Ænima was at first shortened for radio play by broadcasting companies until overwhelming fan response compelled them to play the track uncut. The music video for that single, "Stinkfist," was consequently renamed because of the title's suggestive nature to "Track #1." Though their Ænima singles received heavy radio play, their 2001 release Lateralus featured songs that averaged six and a half minutes in length, unwieldy for even the most pioneering of commercial radio disc jockeys. Additionally, the length of their most recent music video for the song "Parabola" clocked in at an unheard of ten and a half minutes, almost condemning it from being aired on mainstream music channels. Compounded with their aversion to appearing in their own music videos, these aspects of their collective personality makes the band's popularity especially peculiar.

Discography

Year Title Label
1992 Opiate EP Zoo/BMG/Volcano: US
1993 Undertow Zoo/BMG/Volcano: US
1996 Ænima Zoo/Volcano/BMG: US
2000 Salival (CD, VHS & DVD set) Volcano II/Tool Dissectional: US
2001 Lateralus Volcano II/Tool Dissectional: US

The band's singles and accompanying videos: including "Sober" from Undertow, "Stinkfist" and "Ænema" from Ænima, and "Schism" and "Parabola" from Lateralus.

Tool's drummer, Danny Carey, who utilizes one of the largest drum sets in modern music - containing approximately 25 different percussive instruments. Guitarist Adam Jones is trained in special effects and movie makeup and directs all of Tool's videos.

In the midst of a legal battle with Tool's record label Volcano, Keenan (with Billy Howerdel) formed A Perfect Circle in 2000. Keenan has stated the band represents his feminine side.

Henry Rollins appears briefy on Undertow, reciting a spoken word piece during the song Bottom.

Vocalist Maynard James Keenan appeared briefly in the Rage Against the Machine song "Know Your Enemy", as well as on The Deftones' album White Pony, in the song "Passenger".

Samples of Bill Hicks' comedy appear in the song "Third Eye", and both "Third Eye" and "Ænima" are based on his philosophy.

Tricky appears, uncredited, in the video for "Parabola".

The String Tribute to Tool: Third Eye Open is a tribute album released in 2001. The tracks are entirely interpreted by string instruments (violins, viola, cello and a double bass) with at least three musicians , the lack of the percussion being sometimes replaced by rapid clinks with the bow, overall the Tool's songs musicality makes this album a very interesting experience.

External links

An unofficial archive of Tool-related material is at:

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Tool, Texas

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Tool is a city located in Henderson County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,275.

Geography


Tool is located at 32°16'50" North, 96°10'22" West (32.280459, -96.172678)1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.4 km² (3.6 mi²). 9.3 km² (3.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.55% water.

Demographics


As of the census of 2000, there are 2,275 people, 1,006 households, and 682 families residing in the city. The population density is 243.3/km² (630.6/mi²). There are 1,416 housing units at an average density of 151.4/km² (392.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 95.56% White, 0.40% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.22% Pacific Islander, 1.19% from other races, and 2.11% from two or more races. 2.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 1,006 households out of which 19.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% are married couples living together, 10.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% are non-families. 27.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.26 and the average family size is 2.73. In the city the population is spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 47 years. For every 100 females there are 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.2 males. The median income for a household in the city is $32,679, and the median income for a family is $37,396. Males have a median income of $33,534 versus $24,000 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,507. 15.1% of the population and 10.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 26.6% are under the age of 18 and 7.5% are 65 or older.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Tool, Texas."

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Abbreviations & Acronyms: Tool

The following table is compiled from various sources, across various languages. When English abbreviations or acronyms come from a non-English source, this is noted.
EntrySourceExpressionField

TOOL

EnglishTechnology of Object-Orientated Languages and SystemsComputer - (OOP, conference)
TOMEnglishTool managerN/A

Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).

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Synonyms: Tool

Synonyms: cock (n), creature (n), dick (n), instrument (n), pecker (n), peter (n), prick (n), puppet (n), shaft (n), joyride (v), tool around (v). (additional references)

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Synonyms within Context: Tool

ContextSynonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus).

Agent

Workman, artisan; craftsman, handicraftsman; mechanic, operative; working man; laboring man; demiurgus, hewers of wood and drawers of water, laborer, navvy; hand, man, day laborer, journeyman, charwoman, hack; mere tool; beast of burden, drudge, fag; lumper, roustabout.

Auxiliary

Tool, dupe, stooge, ame damnee; satellite, adherent.

Direction

Take the helm, be at the helm; have the reins, handle the reins, hold the reins, take the reins; drive, tool.

Instrument

Instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill; air engine, caloric engine, heat engine.

Hammer; (impulse); edge tool; (cut); borer; vice, teeth; (hold); nail, rope; (join); peg; (hang); support; spoon; (vehicle); arms; oar; (navigation); cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph.

Inutility

Caput mortuum, waste paper, dead letter; blunt tool.

Servant

Serf, vassal, slave, negro, helot; bondsman, bondswoman; bondslave; ame damnee, odalisque, ryot, adscriptus gleboe; villian, villein; beadsman, bedesman; sizar; pensioner, pensionary; client; dependant, dependent; hanger on, satellite; parasite; (servility); led captain; protege, ward, hireling, mercenary, puppet, tool, creature.

Servility

Sycophant, parasite; toad, toady, toad-eater; tufthunter; snob, flunky, flunkey, yes-man, lapdog, spaniel, lickspittle, smell-feast, Graeculus esuriens, hanger on, cavaliere servente, led captain, carpet knight; timeserver, fortune hunter, Vicar of Bray, Sir-Pertinax, Max Sycophant, pickthank; flatterer; doer of dirty work; ame damnee, tool; reptile; slave; (servant); courtier; beat, dead beat, doughface , heeler, homme de cour, sponger, sucker, tagtail, truckler.

Sharpness

Wedge; knife edge, cutting edge; blade, edge tool, cutlery, knife, penknife, whittle, razor, razor blade, safety razor, straight razor, electric razor; scalpel; bistoury, lancet; plowshare, coulter, colter; hatchet, ax, pickax, mattock, pick, adze, gill; billhook, cleaver, cutter; scythe, sickle; scissors, shears, pruning shears, cutters, wire cutters, nail clipper, paper cutter; sword; (arms); bodkin; (perforator); belduque, bowie knife, paring knife; bushwhacker; drawing knife, drawing shave; microtome; chisel, screwdriver blade; flint blade; guillotine.

Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus.

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Crosswords: Tool

English words defined with "tool": Bead tool, Boring toolcutting toolDiamond-point toolEdge tool, Engine toolGrafting toolhand toolmachine tool, Milling toolParting tool, power toolshaping tool, Side tooltire tool. (references)
Specialty definitions using "tool": ANother Tool for Language Recognitioncemented carbide tool, ceramic cutting tool, clapper type tool box, CLINCHING TOOL, coring tool, cupping tool, cylindrical grinder, tooldouble planing tool, DRAFTER, TOOL DESIGN, DRILL-PRESS SET-UP OPERATOR, RADIAL, TOOL, drill-split toolENGINE-LATHE SET-UP OPERATOR, TOOL, external grinder, toolFORM TOOLGEAR-CUTTING-MACHINE SET-UP OPERATOR, TOOL, GRINDER OPERATOR, EXTERNAL, TOOL, GRINDER OPERATOR, SURFACE, TOOLhoning-machine operator, tool, HONING-MACHINE SET-UP OPERATOR, TOOLinner-diameter grinder, tool, INSPECTOR, TOOL, internal grinder, toolLuser Attitude Re-adjustment ToolMcLeod tool, Meta-CASE tool, Minnesota Internet Users Essential Toolnonsparking toolouter-diameter grinder, toolPLANER SET-UP OPERATOR, TOOL, planishing tool, PLASTIC TOOL MAKER, pneumatic tool, Portable Common Tool Environment, Portable Tool Interface, PROFILING-MACHINE SET-UP OPERATOR, TOOL, Purdue Compiler-Construction Tool Setraising tool, right angle cranked tool, rotating tool, roughened planishing tool, roughing toolSCRATCHING TOOL, Security Administrator's Integrated Network Tool, set-up-operator, tool, SHAPER SET-UP OPERATOR, TOOL, shell-trim tool setter, soft-ground boring tool, software tool, STIPPLING TOOL, swan-necked tooltaper for machine tool spindles, tool bar, tool box, tool box miner, Tool Builder Kit, tool changer, tool clapper, tool clerk, Tool Command Language, TOOL DESIGN CHECKER, TOOL DESIGNER, tool extractor, TOOL FILER, tool grinder, TOOL GRINDER I, tool holder, tool included angle, TOOL PLANNER, tool procurement coordinator, TOOL PROGRAMMER, NUMERICAL CONTROL, TOOL PUSHER, tool saddle, tool sharpener, two-way planing tooluniversal grinder, toolwoodworking tool, wood-working tool, work on a machine tool. (references)
Etymologies containing "tool": Zax. (references)

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Modern Usage: Tool

DomainUsage

Screenplays

My auxiliary tool kit, I forgot all about it. It must have fallen out of my pocket (Wild Wild West; writing credit: Jim Thomas; John Thomas)

That ain't no tool, that's a brick (Gone in Sixty Seconds; writing credit: Scott Rosenberg)

My tool shed (The Simpsons; writing credit: Artur Brauner; Paul Hengge)

A spy in love is a tool that has outlived its usefulness (Mata Hari; writing credit: Benjamin Glazer ; Leo Birinsky)

Don't be a fool and wrap you're tool. (Van Wilder; writing credit: Brent Goldberg; David Wagner)

Lyrics

Use your heart just like a tool, listen baby (Everybody Plays the Fool; performing artist: Aaron Neville)

But the kid's wrapped in jewels, the kid clapped that tool (Can't Deny It; performing artist: Fabolous)

I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed (All Star; performing artist: Smash Mouth)

Movie/TV Titles

Vibration Analysis as a Maintenance Tool (1971)

Demonstrating the Action of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.'s Deck Machine (1900)

The Tool (2003)

Garden Tool (1976)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Commercial Usage: Tool

DomainTitle

References

  • Ishii Tool & Engineering Corporation: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

  • Kyoto Tool Co., Ltd: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

  • Okamoto Machine Tool Works, Ltd.: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

  • Riviera Tool Co.: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

  • Karolin Machine Tool AB: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

    (more reference examples)

  

Books

  • Secrets of Question Based Selling: How the Most Powerful Tool in Business Can Double Your Sales Results (reference)

  • The Art of Public Speaking, Media Enhanced Edition with Learning Tool Suite (reference)

  • Windows Script Host: Free Tool Speeds Up Admin Tasks [DOWNLOAD: PDF] (reference)

  • Vossplot: A Software Tool for Scientific and Technical Graphics/Book and Disk (reference)

  • Marketing a Country: Promotion As a Tool for Attracting Foreign Investment (Occasional Paper (Foreign Investment Advisory Service), 13.) (reference)

    (more book examples)

  

Periodicals

  

Theater & Movies

  • Meditation Tool Kit (Forest, Sky, Water) (reference)

  • Fundamental Manufacturing Processes: Cutting Tool Geometries (reference)

    (more DVD examples; more video examples)

  

Music

  

High Tech

  

Consumer Goods

  • HTC TS-9072 Tool Saver Machine Cover, Large (56" x 72") (reference)

  • HTC TS-9112 Tool Saver Jumbo Machine Cover (72" x 112") (reference)

  • Ridgid 72932 VT2502 Crevice Tool (reference)

  • LEATHERMAN "Crunch" Pocket Tool (reference)

  • Delta 46-404 Inboard French Curl Tool Rest for Wood Lathes (reference)

    (more baby examples; more wireless phone examples; more garden examples; more kitchen examples; more tool examples)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Image Slideshow: Tool

Photos:
Tool

More pictures...

Illustrations:
Tool

More pictures...

Computer Images:
Tool

More pictures...

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Photo Album: Tool

ThumbnailDescription & CreditThumbnailDescription & Credit

DNA microarray technology is a powerful new research tool that allows scientists to assess the level of expression of a large subset of the 100,000 human genes in a cell or tissue. This technology can quickly produce a snapshot of the genes that are active in a tumor cell, critical information in narrowing the precise molecular causes of a cancer. Two different images available. First is of female lab technician sitting at computer that displays a microarray. The second is a man at same setting. Credit: Bill Branson.

Pictured in this laboratory setting are scientists looking at a lighted slide of proteins and analyzing it. They are wearing lab coats and studying it intently. Knowing how the genetic code relates to the proteins made by the body is an important tool for scientists in their new technology, as they continue to explore the nature of the cancer cell. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

A head-up display can be a lifesaving tool in difficult flying environments. Students at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School are evaluating raster-capable HUDs that show a television-like image underneath basic HUD symbology. (Courtesy photo).

Students from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School used the NF-16D variable stability in-flight simulator, or VISTA, to test a design tool that could help prevent pilot-induced oscillations in future aircraft. (P.; photo by Tom Reynolds)..

A grass waterway system struggles to establish itself as a tool to prevent soil erosion. Credit: Charlie Rahm.

Rockwood (vicinity), Tenn., 1935-40(?)--A Tennessee Valley Authority worker looking over books in a tool box, a part of the libraries brought to the men on projects in remote areas--He is a workman on a reservoir clearance operation. Credit: Library of Congress.

Vince Lagrotteria looking at Karin Fester, who is modeling a bathing suit, in the cafeteria of the Pratt & Whitney machine tool plant in West Hartford, Conn. Credit: Library of Congress.

Occupational portrait of an unidentified man, full-length, facing front, with a long handled tool, in front of machinery and a stone wall. Credit: Library of Congress.

Man holding a tool. Credit: Library of Congress.

Sharecropper's cabin and sharecropper's tool. Mississippi. Credit: Library of Congress.

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

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Digital Photo Gallery: Tool
 

"RJ-45 Crimping tool" by Albert Gouws
Commentary: "I had a little too much time on my hands, but here it is , came out pretty nice, unedited."
"The Tool" by Michio Takagi
Commentary: "This is one of my tools to make my photos."

Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers.

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Sounds Captioned with "Tool".

PlayCaptionPlayCaption
Hand tool; handtool; drill; construction; drilling; noise pollution.Pneumatic hand tool; handtool; nailgun; construction; construct; build.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Familiar Quotations: Tool

AuthorQuotation

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool.

Mortimer J. Adler

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

Washington Irving

Temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.
A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Historic Usage: Tool

AuthorDateQuotation

Communist Manifesto

1848

The "dangerous class," the social scum, that passively rotting mass thrown off by the lowest layers of old society, may, here and there, be swept into the movement by a proletarian revolution; its conditions of life, however, prepare it far more for the part of a bribed tool of reactionary intrigue. (reference)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Use in Literature: Tool

TitleAuthorQuote

Les Miserables

Hugo, Victor

No tool comes amiss to this workman

Grapes of Wrath

Steinbeck, John

The few chickens had left the yard to hide in the tool shed from the sun.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Non-Fiction Usage: Tool

SubjectTopicQuote

Health

Pleasure can be a powerful tool for health. (references)

Chiropractors use manipulative therapy as an integral treatment tool. (references)

One tool in the search for causes of disease is the study of risk factors. (references)

Business

Face to face contact is also a very important tool for market access. (references)

Chongqing Machine Tool captures 60% of China's gearing machine market. (references)

Operators consider SMS as a marketing tool and have priced it low to drive usage. (references)

Civil Liberties

Libya

In its place, Qadhafi established the Islamic Call Society (ICS), which is the outlet for state-approved religion, as well as a tool for exporting the revolution abroad. (references)

Cuba

Independent journalists noted that the law's very existence had some effect on their activities and increased self-censorship, and some noted that it is the Government's most effective tool to harass members of the independent press. (references)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Municipal and canton authorities have broad discretion regarding disposition of contested property that was nationalized under the Communist government; many use this as a tool of political patronage, rendering religious leaders dependent on politicians to regain lost property. (references)

Economic History

Philippines

A local agent is also an effective marketing tool. (references)

France

Recruitment via the Internet has become an effective tool for French firms. (references)

Brazil

Participation in Brazilian trade fairs is another important marketing tool. (references)

Human Rights

Hungary

Plea bargaining, which is known as a trial waiver, is a tool available to prosecutors. (references)

Taiwan

Informed observers note that police emphasize confessions by suspects as the principal investigative tool. (references)

Malaysia

Prime Minister Mahathir stated in September that the ISA was a necessary tool in combating the country's own terrorist threat. (references)

Indigenous People

Indonesia

Some critics claim that transmigration has been used as a political tool to increase the number of nonindigenous persons in certain areas in part to preclude secessionist movements by indigenous people. (references)

Political Economy

PHILIPPINES

Open market operations serve as the main policy tool to control money supply. (references)

VENEZUELA

Therefore, one can expect continued aggressive use of monetary policy as a macroeconomic tool. (references)

Trade

Senegal

The GSM-102 is not a flexible financing tool for U.S. exporters. (references)

Bangladesh

The Customs tariff is the primary tool of Bangladesh's trade policy. (references)

Singapore

The exchange rate is the MAS' most important tool for controlling inflation. (references)

Travel

Latvia

Some taxis also accept credit cards as a tool of payment. (references)

Zambia

The Internet is also becoming a popular communications tool. (references)

Sweden

Delays in reaching an agreement are less a negotiating tool as in other cultures and more an in-house management activity. (references)

Women

Saint Kitts and Nevis

The draft bill was debated during the year and used as a training tool, but had not been passed into law by year's end. (references)

Iceland

In 2000 Parliament passed legislation that gives the courts the power to issue restraining orders, which has been a useful legal tool in protecting women from abusive husbands and boyfriends. (references)

Lexicography

Devil's Dictionary

ALTAR, n. The place whereupon the priest formerly raveled out the small intestine of the sacrificial victim for purposes of divination and cooked its flesh for the gods. The word is now seldom used, except with reference to the sacrifice of their liberty and peace by a male and a female tool. They stood before the altar and supplied The fire themselves in which their fat was fried. In vain the sacrifice! -- no god will claim An offering burnt with an unholy flame. M.P. Nopput

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

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Speeches: Tool

SpeakerTermPhrase(s)

Jimmy Carter

1977-1981This measure provides farmers with an important new program tool for sharing the economic risks that are inherent to agriculture.

Ronald Reagan

1981-1989As Governor, I found this line-item veto was a powerful tool against wasteful or extravagant spending.

George W. Bush

2001-2005The dictator of Iraq is a student of Stalin, using murder as a tool of terror and control, within his own cabinet, within his own army, and even within his own family.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Usage Frequency: Tool

"Tool" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 99.86% of the time. "Tool" is used about 2,198 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted)
Parts of SpeechPercentUsage per
100 Million Words
Rank in English
Noun (singular)99.86%2,1954,000
Lexical Verb (base form)0.14%3202,518
                    Total100.00%2,198N/A

Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.

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Usage in Company Names: Tool

CountryNameCountryName
Japan

Hitachi Tool Engineering, Ltd.

Sweden

Karolin Machine Tool AB

USA

Illinois Tool Works Incorporated

 (more examples...)  

Source: compiled by the editor from Icon Group International, Inc.

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Cities: Tool


1. Tool, TX (city, FIPS 73352)
Location: 32.28025 N, 96.17242 W
Population (1990): 1712 (1354 housing units)
Area: 9.4 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Country: USA

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Expressions: Tool

Expressions using "tool": air tool another Tool for Language Recognition basic shop machine tool Bead tool blunt tool Boring tool center of a machine tool ceramic cutting tool chasing tool clapper type tool box computerised route planning tool computerized route planning tool cupping tool cutting tool Development of a multimedia information transaction and dissemination tool double planing tool Edge tool edged tool Engine tool entrenching tool fishing tool force acting on a cutting tool force on the tool garden tool gardening tool general machine tool general tool generic Expert System Tool grafting tool graving tool hand tool handle of a tool handy tool i was not a tool in their hands! intrenching tool iron tool knife tool lathe tool lawn tool machine tool marketing tool McLeod tool measuring tool milling tool Minnesota Internet Users Essential Tool parting tool planishing tool portable Common Tool Environment portable Tool Interface power tool precision tool pulaski tool raising tool right angle cranked tool robotic tool rotating tool roughened planishing tool roughing tool security Administrator's Integrated Network Tool shaping tool side tool software tool soldering tool standard machine tool steel tool table of a machine tool taper for machine tool spindles Tint tool tire tool tool along tool around tool bag tool bar tool box tool Builder Kit tool cabinet tool carbide tool case tool centre point tool changer tool chest tool clapper tool Command Language tool component tool down tool engineering tool framework tool handle tool head tool holder tool included angle tool joints tool kit tool operator Tool Package tool saddle tool shed tool steel tool up woodworking tool work on a machine tool. Additional references.

Hyphenated Usage

Beginning with "tool": tool-and-die work, tool-bag, tool-belt, tool-box, tool-carriage, tool-carrying, tool-electrode, tool-end, tool-free, tool-hardening, tool-house, tool-kit, tool-like, tool-maker, tool-making, tool-pieces, Tool-post, Tool-rest, tool-roll, tool-room, tool-shed, tool-shop, Tool-stock, tool-to-tool, tool-use, tool-using, tool-worn.

Ending with "tool": edge-tool, machine-tool, power-tool, v-tool.

Containing "tool": machine-tool plant.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Frequency of Internet Keywords: Tool

The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com.
 
ExpressionFrequency
per Day
ExpressionFrequency
per Day

tool

13,102

bike tool

813

garden tool

5,846

tool band

813

web tool

4,206

stanley tool

785

daemon tool

3,748

air tool

661

northern tool

2,273

dewalt tool

646

power tool

2,126

discount tool

587

harbor freight tool

1,502

construction tool

559

pro tool

1,350

automotive tool

544

tool box

1,334

wholesale tool

543

snap on tool

1,334

tool crib

515

truck tool box

1,282

machine tool

498

craftsman tool

1,167

programming tool

498

wood working tool

1,149

gardening tool

476

delta tool

1,143

delta power tool

461

hand tool

1,132

web master tool

456

tool lyrics

1,043

teaching tool

442

milwaukee tool

1,019

free web tool

379

diamond tool

894

mechanic tool

370

search tool

882

kitchen tool

367

mac tool

823

web design tool

357
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Modern Translation: Tool

Language Translations for "tool"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.

Albanian

  

vegël (applicator, cat's paw, doohickey, dummy, engine, gadget, implement, instrument, Jigger, utensil, utility), mjet (agent, apparatus, device, engine, expedient, implement, instrument, intermedium, mean, means, medium, mode, modus, recipe, route, touch, vehicle, wherewithal), makinë (adder, car, engine, machine, machinery, motor, motor car), hallat (instrument). (various references)

   

Arabic 

  

‏لعبة (cat's paw, game, merry go round, play, plaything, poppet, servant, toy, vehicle), ‏زين بأداة, ‏طرق (bang, beating, enter, knock, knock repeatedly, knocking, percuss, percussion, pounding, puncture, rap), ‏جهاز (apparatus, appliance, device, equipage, equipment, installation, instrument, set, system), ‏الة, ‏أتقن الصنع, ‏أداة (agent, appliance, device, gadget, implement, particle, utensil). (various references)

   

Basque

  

erreminta. (various references)

   

Bulgarian 

  

средство (agency, contrivance, device, help, instrumentality, instrumentation, means, medium, pry, recourse, remedy, resort, resource, shift, weapon), струг (lathe), сечиво (edge tool, implement, instrument), работя с инструмент, возя (convey, ride, trundle), оръдие (cannon, creature, gun, implement, instrument, pander, piece), обработвам (arrange, belabor, belabour, cultivate, cure, curry, farm, husband, labor, labour, plough, process, retrieve, till, work, work up), нож (carver, carving knife, dagger, knife, side-arms), маша (cats paw, cat's paw, curling irons, curling tongs, fire-irons, hatchet man, instrument, tongs), пионка (figure, pawn), играчка (child's play, knack, plaything, toy, whim-wham), инструмент (implement, instrument, machine, utensil), дялам (chip, chisel, hack, knap). (various references)

   

Chamorro

  

eramienta. (various references)

   

Chinese 

  

工具 (instrument, means, utensil). (various references)

   

Czech

  

pomùcka (shift), otesat dlátem, obrátit (convert, direct, inverse, reverse, toss, upturn), nástroj (device, implement, instrument, utensil), nářadí (gear, implement, kit, things), náèiní (kit). (various references)

   

Danish

  

værktøj (means), redskab (agent, means). (various references)

   

Dutch

  

werktuig (agent, instrument, means), middel (agent, means, remedy, resources, thallium, waist, waistline). (various references)

   

Esperanto

  

laborilo, ilo (means). (various references)

   

Faeroese

  

amboð (agent, means, remedy, resources). (various references)

   

Farsi 

  

افزار (Gear, Gin, Implement), الت دست (Stooge), الت (Apparatus, Appliance, Engine, Implement, Instrument, Instrumental, Organ), اسباب (Apparatus, Apparel, Appliance, Appurtenance, Article, Contraption, Contrivance, Doodad, Engine, Gadget, Gear, Implement, Instrument, Layout, Paraphernalia, Rig, Tackle, Thing, Utensil), ابزار (Doodad, Gadget, Implement), دارای ابزارکردن , بصورت ابزاردراوردن . (various references)

   

Finnish

  

työkalu (instrument). (various references)

   

French

  

outil, instrument, ciseler. (various references)

   

German

  

Werkzeug (agent, artifact, implement, instrument, kit, mean, means, tool kit, utensil, utility), Gerät (apparatus, appliance, console, device, equipment, gadget, gadgetry, implement, instrument, piece of equipment, set, tabletop, tackle, unit, utensil), bearbeiten (adapt, arrange, badger, belabor, bludgeon, cultivate, dress, edit, handle, hew, hewed, machine, process, revise, shape, to edit, treat, work, work on). (various references)

   

Greek 

  

εργαλείο (contraption, implement, instrument, jig), κατεργάζομαι (process, work). (various references)

   

Hebrew 

  

כלי (apparatus, article, implement, instrument, kit, organ, thing, vessel, weapon). (various references)

   

Hungarian

  

szerszám (artifact, implement, instrument, utensil). (various references)

   

Indonesian

  

perkakas (gadget, utility), alat (appliance, device, instrument, means, organ, stuff, utensil, utility). (various references)

   

Italian

  

arnese (agent, contraption, gadget, gear, implement, means, thing, utensil), strumento (agent, appliance, implement, instrument, mean, means, medium, utensil), utensile (implement, utensil), macchina utensile (basic shop machine tool, general machine tool, general-purpose machine tool, machine tool, manufacturing machine, power tool, processing machine, productive machine, standard machine tool), attrezzo (implement). (various references)

   

Japanese Kanji 

  

道具  (implement, means), 道具 (implement, means), 用器 (instrument), 器財 (implement, utensil), ツーバイフォー工法 (double, tooling, tour, touring, tourist, tweed, twin, two piece suit, wood frame construction), (ingredients, means), 工具 (implement). (various references)

   

Japanese Katakana