spanner

[span-er]

noun

1. a person or thing that spans. span.

2. Also called spanner 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.

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

Divorce, obviously, puts a spanner in the works — and two divorces means two spanners — but you’ve managed to come out of those marriages financially intact.

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In each case, a leader he sees as a natural, if problematic ally – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – has thrown a massive spanner in the wheels of White House peace-making.

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When England did safely gather, Australia were able to shove a spanner in the spokes of their usually powerful driving maul.

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But Glasner threw a spanner in the works, saying after the game that the club needed to keep Guehi if they were to have a successful season.

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Not all the work in this helicopter factory involves a spanner and engine grease.

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