tool English · revision 4520

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 888|origins=gem-pro *tōwlą}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tuːl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|tol]], tool,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[inh|ang|tōl|t=instrument, implement; weapon]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*tōwlą|alt=*tōwalan|t=implement]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) also the source of Old Norse tól,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from a verb stem seen in Old English tawian “to prepare”, the source of [[taw]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) and Gothic taujan “to do, make”.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The ending is the instrumental suffix -el.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Any instrument used by hand, an implement: about 888 in the OED,^(OED 1989) before 899 in Barnhart, in Alfred's translation of Boethius.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A weapon of war, especially a sword, is from about 1000, now archaic.^(OED 1989) The penis is so called in slang from the 1550s,^(Etymonline) after a general sense “sex organ” in the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) The figurative sense, a means to an end, especially a person used by another for his own ends, is from the 1660s;^(Etymonline) unlike instrument, it is generally used in a contemptuous sense.^(Etymonline) A useless fellow is slang by 1700.^(Etymonline) Johnson and Boswell discussed Franklin's definition of man as “a tool-making animal”.^(Etymonline) The verb meant to drive a coach in 1812,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) probably as if “to manage skilfully”,^(Etymonline) and to work stone with a tool by 1815, later of bookbinding (1836).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) To equip a factory with machine tools is from 1927,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and slang ''tool up'', to arm oneself, from 1959.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 888 – an implement.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1000 – a weapon.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1550s – the penis.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1660s – a person used by another.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1812 – verb, to drive.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1815 – verb, to work with a tool.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1927 – to equip with machine tools.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1959 – ''tool up'', to arm oneself.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A hand-held device such as a hammer or saw, used to do manual or mechanical work.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A machine such as a [[lathe]] for cutting and shaping, or its cutting part.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something that helps one do a job or achieve a purpose: ''a research tool''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person used by another for his or her own ends; a [[dupe]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(computing)'' A program that performs a particular function.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(slang)'' The penis.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To work, shape or decorate with a tool, as a book cover.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To equip a [[factory]] with tools, also ''tool up''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' To drive or travel in a vehicle, especially in a leisurely way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tooler]]

+ * [[toolless]]

+ * [[multitool]]

+ * [[retool]]

+ * [[toolbar]]

+ * [[toolbox]]

+ * [[toolholder]]

+ * [[toolhouse]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[taw]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}