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



RESET




Word of the Day

29 May 2025

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