Origin of tool

before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English tōl; cognate with Old Norse tōl tools; akin to taw2

SYNONYMS FOR tool

1 T ool , implement , instrument , utensil refer to contrivances for doing work. A tool is a contrivance held in and worked by the hand, for assisting the work of (especially) mechanics or laborers: a carpenter's tools. An implement is any tool or contrivance designed or used for a particular purpose: agricultural implements. An instrument is anything used in doing a certain work or producing a certain result, especially such as requires delicacy, accuracy, or precision: surgical or musical instruments. A utensil is especially an article for domestic use: kitchen utensils. When used figuratively of human agency, tool is generally used in a contemptuous sense; instrument , in a neutral or good sense: a tool of unscrupulous men; an instrument of Providence.

OTHER WORDS FROM tool

tool·er, noun tool·less, adjective mul·ti·tool, noun un·tooled, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for multitool

  • He rattled the grating, which was about half a meter square, then slipped his multitool out of his belt holster.

  • He flicked a multitool off his belt and extracted a short, sharp scalpel-blade.

    Makers |Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for multitool (1 of 2)

multitool
/ (ˈmʌltɪˌtuːl) /

noun

a device that contains various tools attached to a single handle

British Dictionary definitions for multitool (2 of 2)

tool
/ (tuːl) /

noun

verb

Derived forms of tool

tooler, noun tool-less, adjective

Word Origin for tool

Old English tōl; related to Old Norse tōl weapon, Old English tawian to prepare; see taw ²