The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
SPANNER
wrench, spanner
(noun) a hand tool that is used to hold or twist a nut or bolt
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
spanner (plural spanners)
(Australian, NZ, British, Irish) A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts; a wrench.
(rare) One who, or that which, spans.
(weaponry) A hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket.
(obsolete) A device in early steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.
(UK) A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome (in the phrase spanner in the works)
(British, Irish, mildly, derogatory) A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.
Synonyms
• (hand tool for nuts and bolts): wrench (US)
Anagrams
• panners
Source: Wiktionary
Span"ner, n.
1. One who, or that which, spans.
2. The lock of a fusee or carbine; also, the fusee or carbine itself. [Obs.]
3. An iron instrument having a jaw to fit a nut or the head of a bolt, and used as a lever to turn it with; a wrench; specifically, a wrench for unscrewing or tightening the couplings of hose.
4. pl.
Definition: A contrivance in some of the ealier steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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29 May 2025
CRITICAL
(adjective) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; “a critical reading”; “a critical dissertation”; “a critical analysis of Melville’s writings”
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