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hand tool

hand tool

5 1.8
A thing you hold and use with your hands, not powered by a machine, like a hammer or screwdriver
  • noun
  • /hænd tuːl/
translation icon : herramienta manual
  • Carpenters often rely on hand tools like saws and chisels for fine woodworking.
  • simple hand tools
  • using hand tools

We found pounding stones and we found copper and Flint chisels and we found very simple sort of hand tools.

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Examples

  • And you can do it largely with local materials, hand tools, and draft animals.

    Blog text (21)
  • So you can make this entire stool using only hand tools if you prefer.

  • So, get some hand tools, get a garden, and get used to not having paid employment.

    Blog text (4)
  • I have a tool wall with frequently used hand tools right in front of me.

  • And it can all be built and maintained with hand tools, as all cities were before 1900 or so.

    Blog text (32)
  • I decided to only use hand tools and enjoy making some shavings, but eventually I had to use the drill press.

  • But I'm ready to start looking for other hand tools to use for my woodworking, instead of power tools.

    Blog text (23)
  • Why don't we stick to good old-fashioned hand tools for the time being, OK?

  • Yes, they'd have hand tools and plows, but little more.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The fiber contacts reportedly can be cut and crimped with simple hand tools.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

wire cutter
vshand tool
8 2.6

A hand tool with two handles and sharp blades for cutting wire

means any manual instrument for work, not a powered machine
handsaw
vshand tool
3 2.3

A tool you hold in one hand to cut wood

is the general label for manual tools not powered electrically
hand pump
vshand tool
2 3.0

A simple device you move by hand to lift water or push air

belongs to the wide group of devices used by hand instead of power
monkey wrench
vshand tool
  • US
2 3.0

A tool with one fixed and one movable jaw that grips and turns bolts

describes the wider class of manual tools used without electricity
multitool
vshand tool
1 3.6

A small hand tool that has several tools like pliers and a knife

is the general term for any manual tool not using power
hand saw
vshand tool
1 2.1

A saw used with one hand to cut wood

covers that kind of manual device as part of the whole category
hand drill
vshand tool
1 3.0

A small tool you turn by hand to make holes in wood or other materials

names the overall class of manual tools used without motors
hand ax
vshand tool
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A small stone tool with a sharp edge used for cutting and chopping

is the wider category covering such manually used implements
tongs
vshand tool
1 1.0

A tool with two arms that you use to pick up hot or small things

applies to any manual implement for tasks without motor power
pliers
vshand tool
2.3

A small tool with two long metal arms joined at one end used to hold, bend, or cut things

is the broad category for any manual implement used without power
hand vise
vshand tool
  • Specialized
7.5

A small tool you hold to grip tiny things while you work

refers generally to any nonpowered tool used by a person
handheld drill
vshand tool
3.3

A small tool you hold to make holes in wood or metal

is the umbrella term for such manual implements without power
finger drill
vshand tool
7.7

A small hand tool for making tiny holes in material like jewelry

is the broader name for any small tool used manually
hand shovel
vshand tool
2.3

A small tool like a mini spade you hold in one hand to dig or move dirt

is the general category for tools worked manually, not by machines
hand wedge
vshand tool
  • Specialized
7.1

A small tool you put under something to hold it steady for a short time

is part of the overall set of manual implements used without power
handpress
vshand tool
  • Specialized
6.5

A small tool you push by hand to squeeze and shape metal or other small parts

is the broad term for any nonpowered tool used by a person
hand mower
vshand tool
3.7

A tool you push to cut grass without a motor

fits within the general class of implements worked manually
hand glass
vshand tool
  • Archaic
5.8

A small lens with a handle that makes things look bigger

is the general name for any manual device used without electricity
handline
vshand tool
  • Specialized
7.9

A fishing line you hold and pull by hand instead of using a rod

is the general term for tools and implements operated manually rather than by power

How Manual

hand tool
5 1.8
power tool
17 2.7

Surface Forms

hand tool singular
hand tools plural

Morphology

hand + tool

The meaning is directly compositional: combining 'hand' (the grasping extremity) with 'tool' (a handheld implement) yields a tool used by hand. This noun–noun compound follows common descriptive patterns found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun hand tool comes from the simple picture of a tool held and used with your hand, not by a machine. So it means a tool you use by hand rather than one 'powered' by electricity.