DRILL

n. & v. --n. 1 a pointed, esp. revolving, steel tool or machine used for boring cylindrical holes, sinking wells, etc. 2 a esp. Mil. instruction or training in military exercises. b rigorous discipline or methodical instruction, esp. when learning or performing tasks. c routine procedure to be followed in an emergency (fire-drill). d a routine or exercise (drills in irregular verb patterns). 3 colloq. a recognized procedure (I expect you know the drill). 4 any of various molluscs, esp. Urosalpinx cinera, that bore into the shells of young oysters. --v. 1 tr. (also absol.) a (of a person or a tool) make a hole with a drill through or into (wood, metal, etc.). b make (a hole) with a drill. 2 tr. & intr. esp. Mil. subject to or undergo discipline by drill. 3 tr. impart (knowledge etc.) by a strict method. 4 tr. sl. shoot with a gun (drilled him full of holes). øødriller n. [earlier as verb, f. MDu. drillen bore, of unkn. orig.]