tool Copy link Outline I. Lit.1. in collect. sense, the tools and apparatus (stock) of any craft or trade, instrūmentum2. ferrāmentum (an iron t.)II. Fig. • tool: I. Lit.: 1. in collect. sense, the tools and apparatus (stock) of any craft or trade, instrūmentum: thus, i. rusticum (Phaedr. 4, 5, 24) denotes farm stock of all kinds: i. venatorium (Plin. Ep. 3, 19), hunting implements, etc.: in later Latin (esp. in pl.), used also as Eng.: thus Isid. Or. 19, 7, we have the heading, de instrumentis fabrorum (concerning the tools used by smiths): and Nizol. quotes from pseudo-Cic. de Dom., instrumenta lanificia, tools or implements used in woollen manufacture. [N.B.--Oft. expr. without the use of a special word: e. g. the axe, a t. used in felling trees, securis qua arbores succiduntur: the saw, a carpenter's t., serra qua fabri lignarii utuntur.] 2. ferrāmentum (an iron t.): t.s of agricultural labourers, f. agrestia, Liv. 1, 40: esp. cutting implements: cf. Cic. Cat. 3, 5, 10: Mart. (Utensilia, any articles of common use: Liv.: Col.) II. Fig.: a person used as an instrument: mĭnister, tri: using Calchas as his t., Calchante m., Virg. Aen. 2, 100: Cic. Clu. 22, 60 (minister in maleficio). Phr.: he would easily be able to make a t. of Antony, facile se ex voluntate Antonio usurum, Sall. Cat. 26.