tool

v. work or shape with a tool, ornament with a tool; equip with tools or machinery

n. apparatus, device

A tool or device is a piece of equipment which typically provides a mechanical advantage in accomplishing a physical task, or provides an ability that is not naturally available to the user of a tool. The most basic tools are simple machines. For example, a crowbar simply functions as a lever. The further out from the pivot point, the more force is transmitted along the lever. When particularly intended for domestic use, a tool is often called a utensil.
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For tools and tutorials intended to simplify, make more efficient, or provide additional functionality to Wikipedians, see Wikipedia:Tools A tool is a device used to help accomplish tasks.Tool may also refer to:Tool (band), an American progressive rock bandTool (album), a demo tape by ToolTool, referred to hip hop culture as a gun or weapon"Tool" (song), a 7" single by the band BaboonTool (insult), an insulting or derogatory termTool, Texas, a city in east Texasa programming toolTOOL programming language, the proprietary programming language used by Forte 4GLThe Order Of Light (TOOL) is an alliance in the game Cyber Nations.
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(v. t.)
To shape, form, or finish with a tool.
  

(v. t.)
To drive, as a coach.
  

(n.)
Hence, any instrument of use or service.
  

(n.)
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.
  

(n.)
A weapon.
  

(n.)
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.
  

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

Synonym utility program.

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1. <tool> A program used primarily to create, manipulate, modify, or analyse other programs, such as a compiler or an editor or a cross-referencing program. Opposite: app, operating system.
2. A Unix 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) To work; to study (connotes tedium). The TMRC Dictionary defined this as "to set one's brain to the grindstone". See hack.
4. (MIT) A student who studies too much and hacks too little. MIT's student humour magazine rejoices in the name "Tool and Die".
[Jargon File]
(1996-12-12)

<programming> A program that aids in the development of other programs. It may assist the programmer in the design, code, compile, link, edit, or debug phases.
(1996-05-28)