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borer

borer

1 7.7
A machine that drills holes in rock or the ground
  • noun
  • /ˈbɔːrər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : perforadora
  • Sandy continued to plod along, using her soil-borer at intervals.

Examples

  • To plant the new tree, I first used a borer to create a hole in the hard soil.

  • Cut a hole in the center of the lid for the plant with a cork borer or scissors.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Disk-shaped borers, blades, and points have also turned up, all of which show signs of wear or retouching during their use.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Donald R. Currey, studying the climate dynamics of the Little Ice Age, found several Great Basin Bristlecone Pine trees and set about them with his borer to gain their core samples, from which he could count their rings and estimate their age.

    Blog text (6)
  • The construction crew used the heavy-duty borer to drill deep into the rocky ground for the foundation.

  • The engineer demonstrated how the borer works to create precise holes for the piping system.

Synonyms

drill
vsborer
90 2.3

A tool that makes holes by turning a sharp bit

is more focused on tools and machines used mainly for digging into earth or rock
drill bit
vsborer
  • Specialized
11 3.7

A metal tool that makes holes in hard materials like rock or wood when attached to a drill

is the wider category for machines or tools that perform hole making
brace
vsborer
  • Archaic
8 7.2

A hand tool with a crank for drilling holes in wood

is a general machine or tool for many holemaking tasks, not only carpentry
power drill
vsborer
4 2.8

A tool that uses electricity or a battery to make holes in hard things like wood and metal

is used especially for earth and rock work rather than only general home use
drill press
vsborer
  • Specialized
2 5.8

A machine that makes accurate vertical holes in metal or wood

is the general term for holemaking tools and machines used in various settings
auger
vsborer
1 7.3

A hand tool with a spiral metal bit for making holes in wood

is focused more on earth and rock work than on woodworking use
driller
vsborer
1 3.4

A tool or person that makes holes in wood, metal and concrete

names only the machine or tool used for making holes, not people
core drill
vsborer
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A tool that cuts out a round piece from hard materials like concrete or rock

covers hole making in general rather than only the cylindrical sampling method
drilling bit
vsborer
  • Specialized
4.4

A tool fixed to a machine that cuts rock and earth to make a hole for oil

is the general machine or tool for making such holes, not only the tip
rock drill
vsborer
  • Specialized
4.4

A powered tool that drills holes in rock for mining or building

is a broader name covering both machines and hand tools for such holes
bore bit
vsborer
  • Specialized
8.1

A tool for a drill that cuts into rock or other hard material

refers to the whole device used to make holes, not just an attachment
stone drill
vsborer
  • Specialized
6.7

A tool that makes holes in hard rock

is a general term that also includes nonstone hole making tools
core bit
vsborer
  • Specialized
7.8

A hollow cutting cylinder used in a drill to remove a sample of rock or concrete

is the general holemaking device rather than the sampling cutting piece
expansive bit
vsborer
  • Specialized
9.2

A part for a drill that makes holes of different sizes

is the broad name for holemaking machines and tools regardless of adjustability
reamer
vsborer
  • Specialized
9.0

A cutting tool with a grooved cylinder used to enlarge and smooth drilled holes

refers to the original holemaking tool rather than a finishing instrument
screw auger
vsborer
  • Specialized
7.7

A hand tool with a spiral metal blade that makes holes in wood

covers both hand and powered tools used for drilling into hard ground
holer
vsborer
8.8

A tool used to make holes in wood or soil

is more often used for heavy or deep holes in earth or rock
hollower
vsborer
  • Specialized
8.9

A person or tool that removes the inside of something to make it hollow

names specifically a machine or tool for making holes, not general hollowing
piercer
vsborer
5.6

A sharp tool for making holes in materials like leather or paper

applies to larger holemaking machines and tools rather than small punctures
mortiser
vsborer
  • Specialized
9.9

A machine that cuts square or rectangular holes in wood for joining pieces

is about making round or drilled holes in earth, rock, or materials

Compounds

1 7.7

An insect, usually a moth or its caterpillar, that eats holes in corn stems and harms the crop

A small moth whose caterpillars tunnel into corn stems and damage crops

A small moth whose young caterpillars make holes in corn stems and damage crops

How Powerful

drill rig
  • Specialized
1 5.1
borer
  • Specialized
1 7.7
drill
90 2.3
auger
1 7.3

Surface Forms

borer singular
borers plural

Morphology

borer = bore (transparent) = bore + er

Formed by the verb 'bore' plus the agentive suffix '-er'; meaning (agent/tool that bores) is directly predictable.

Etymology

Borer comes from the verb bore, which means 'to make a hole', so a borer is literally something that makes holes — here a machine or tool that drills through rock or earth.