SPANNER Definition & Meaning

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spanner

[span-er]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

a person or thing that spans. span.
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.
Chiefly British.��a wrench, especially one with fixed jaws.

spanner

/ ˈ��æ��ə /

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

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Origin of spanner¹

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

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Origin of spanner¹

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

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Examples have not been reviewed.

Yet Trump's tariffs threaten to throw a spanner in the works.

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Alongside some very high-tech electronics and digital work, there are still plenty of screwdrivers and spanners.

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However, Wales will relish the chance to stick a spanner in the spokes and puncture such title pretensions.

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Itoje was a menace around the breakdown, turning over ball and putting a spanner in Scotland's attacking spokes as the referee let play flow.

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"If I take my car into the mechanics, I've got to trust that he's not just going to bash it with his spanner and charge me a grand."

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