spanner Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a hand tool that is used to hold or twist a nut or bolt
    wrench.

WordNet

Span"ner noun
Definitions
  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. A contrivance in some of the ealier steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.

Webster 1913