tool

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tool

a. an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand

b. a power-driven instrument; machine tool

2. the cutting part of such an instrument

a. any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover

b. a design so impressed

4. anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an end

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

tool

[tül]

(engineering)

Any device, instrument, or machine for the performance of an operation, for example, a hammer, saw, lathe, twist drill, drill press, grinder, planer, or screwdriver.

(industrial engineering)

To equip a factory or industry for production by designing, making, and integrating machines, machine tools, and special dies, jigs, and instruments, so as to achieve manufacture and assembly of products on a volume basis at minimum cost.

tool

(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.

tool

(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).

tool

(jargon)

(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.

tool

(jargon, person)

(MIT) A student who studies too much and hacks too little. MIT's student humour magazine rejoices in the name "Tool and Die".

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

tool

(1) A program used for software development or system maintenance. Virtually any program or utility that helps programmers or users develop applications or maintain their computers can be called a tool. Examples of programming tools are compilers, interpreters, assemblers, 4GLs, editors, debuggers and application generators. See toolkit.

(2) A program that helps the user analyze or search for data. For example, query and report programs are often called query tools and report tools.

(3) An on-screen function in a graphics program; for example, a line draw, circle draw or brush tool.

(4) A software control panel for setting user preferences. See tools menu.

(5) Sometimes, people will call any software a "tool." For example, the phrase, "there aren't any tools to do that job" means that no application is available to perform the required processing.

Copyright © 1981-2019 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.

References in periodicals archive ?

Typical dust hoods on machinery do a fine job for wood particulates, however with engineered materi-als we are constantly pressured to design tool holders and aggregates that aid in expelling the dust precisely at the source."

A 'bit' of cutting tool knowledge for wood: experts discuss bit & tool holder developments

All of these massage tools are made in Thailand and are crafted from 100% rosewood.

BestMassage Introduces New Thai Massage Tools

Hydraulic tool holders utilize hydraulic pressure in a chamber surrounding the tool shank to create clamping pressure that can be quickly applied or released.

Tooling optimization

* Web-based tools are growing in use among financial analysts.

E-volutionizing retirement planning: web-based and consumer self-service tools are beginning to gain ground in retirement planning

This tool, which is slated to be implemented and released in the coming spring, will allow local companies to search through the listed criteria and view their locations on a scalable map.

Online tool opens new Sudbury business opportunities

During the last decade, however, the emergence of Web-based Pedagogical Tools (WBPT) embedded in Course Management Systems (CMS) can enrich these instructional interventions tailored to enhance student self-regulation, particularly in college classrooms where students are expected to function independently.

Self-regulation and Web-Based Pedagogical Tools

Also, a cast ceramic tool couldn't be modified, so any design change would mean a new tool.

Induction heated molds produce Class A thermoplastic composites

When a tool has had numerous adjustments and changes to "tweak" items into tolerance, it also can be scanned to generate a solid model.

Grede-Iron Mountain gains edge with 3-D scanning

If you throw those damaged tools away you might as well be throwing dollars in the garbage!

Saving $$$ with tool repair and modification

Pay attention to tool control, comply with the NAMP, and find an active tool program manager to prevent shortcomings in your program.

Tools! What Tools?

Here is a narrow look at some of the important aspects of getting the most efficiency from electronic audit tools.

E-audit: tools evolving to help you find your way along the paperless audit trail

The employer gave each employee a quarterly statement detailing the individual's actual tool allowance paid, as well as his or her estimated tool expenses incurred during the period.