spanner

[ span-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that spans. span.
2. Also called spanner wrench. a wrench having a curved head with a hook or pin at one end for engaging notches or holes in collars, certain kinds of nuts, etc. Compare pin wrench.
3. Chiefly British. a wrench, especially one with fixed jaws.

spanner

/ ˈspænə /

noun

1. a steel hand tool with a handle carrying jaws or a hole of particular shape designed to grip a nut or bolt head
2. informal.
   a source of impediment or annoyance (esp in the phrase throw a spanner in the works )

Word History and Origins

Origin of spanner¹

First recorded in 1630–40; span ¹ + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of spanner¹

C17: from German, from spannen to stretch, span ¹

Example Sentences

Regulators in other countries could also put a spanner in the works.

From Singularity Hub 

The Daily Pic: Her "appropriations" of August Sander throw a spanner in art's works.

From The Daily Beast

When C is almost as tight as it can be made, it is held by one spanner, while B is turned back through a small angle with another.

From Project Gutenberg

The spanner caught him on the shoulder, and he grunted in pain, but he kept on moving away from Mellon.

From Project Gutenberg

Behind him were Chief Multhaus, also armed with a stun gun, and four members of the power crew, each armed with a heavy spanner.

From Project Gutenberg

He was working at it with a spanner when O'Donoghue, breathless and in a bad temper, came up with him.

From Project Gutenberg

Always have a spanner sticking out of a pocket, and a hunk of bread and cheese tied up in a coloured handkerchief in our hands.

From Project Gutenberg