implement, n. [LL. implementum accomplishment, fr. L. implere, impletum, to fill up, finish, complete; pref. im- in + plere to fill. The word was perh. confused with OF. empleier, emploier, to employ, F. employer, whence E. employ. See Plenty.].

That which fulfills or supplies a want or use; esp., an instrument, tool, or utensil, as supplying a requisite to an end; as, the implements of trade, of husbandry, or of war. [1913 Webster]

"Genius must have talent as its complement and implement." [1913 Webster]

implement, v. t.

To accomplish; to fulfill. [1913 Webster]
"Revenge . . . executed and implemented by the hand of Vanbeest Brown." [1913 Webster]
To provide with an implement or implements; to cause to be fulfilled, satisfied, or carried out, by means of an implement or implements. [1913 Webster]
"The chief mechanical requisites of the barometer are implemented in such an instrument as the following." [1913 Webster]
To fulfill or perform, as a contract or an engagement. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

implement, n. & v.
--n.
1 a tool, instrument, or utensil.
2 (in pl.) equipment; articles of furniture, dress, etc.
3 Law performance of an obligation.
--v.tr.
1 a put (a decision, plan, etc.) into effect. b fulfil (an undertaking).
2 complete (a contract etc.).
3 fill up; supplement.

Derivative

implementation n.

Etymology

ME f. med.L implementa (pl.) f. implere employ (as IN-(2), L plere plet- fill)

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THESAURUS

implement

Charlie McCarthy, Federal, abide by, accomplish, achieve, actualize, adhere to, administer, agent, amanuensis, ancilla, apparatus, appliance, baggage agent, bring about, bring off, bring to effect, bring to pass, business agent, carry into effect, carry into execution, carry off, carry out, carry through, cause, claim agent, clerk, come through, come through with, commercial agent, commission agent, complete, consignee, contraption, contrivance, creature, customer agent, device, discharge, dummy, dupe, effect, effectuate, enforce, execute, factor, fed, federal agent, fill out, freight agent, fulfill, functionary, gadget, general agent, get through, gimcrack, gimmick, gizmo, go through, go-between, hand tool, handmaid, handmaiden, honor, instrument, insurance agent, interagent, intermediary, intermediate, intermedium, invoke, land agent, law agent, lever, literary agent, loan agent, make, make out, materialize, means, mechanical device, mechanism, mediator, medium, midwife, minion, news agent, observe, official, organ, parliamentary agent, passenger agent, pawn, perform, plaything, power tool, precision tool, press agent, promulgate, prosecute, pull off, puppet, purchasing agent, put across, put in force, put in practice, put into effect, put into practice, put over, put through, real estate agent, realize, render, sales agent, secretary, servant, slave, special agent, speed tool, station agent, steward, stooge, theatrical agent, ticket agent, tool, toy, transact, translate into action, travel agent, utensil, vehicle, walking delegate, work out

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ROGET THESAURUS

implement

Instrument

N instrument, machinery, mechanism, engineering, instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill, air engine, caloric engine, heat engine, gear, tackle, tackling, rig, rigging, apparatus, appliances, plant, materiel, harness, trappings, fittings, accouterments, barde, equipment, equipmentage, appointments, furniture, upholstery, chattels, paraphernalia, mechanical powers, lever, leverage, mechanical advantage, crow, crowbar, handspike, gavelock, jemmy, jimmy, arm, limb, wing, oar, paddle, pulley, wheel and axle, wheelwork, clockwork, wheels within wheels, pinion, crank, winch, cam, pedal, capstan, wheel, inclined plane, wedge, screw, spring, mainspring, can hook, glut, heald, heddle, jenny, parbuckle, sprag, water wheel, handle, hilt, haft, shaft, heft, shank, blade, trigger, tiller, helm, treadle, key, turnscrew, screwdriver, knocker, hammer, edge tool, borer, vice, teeth, nail, rope, peg, support, spoon, arms, oar, cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph, instrumental, mechanical, machinal, brachial.

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