noun. A wrench having a hook, hole, or pin at the end for meshing with a related device on another object.

noun. A wrench.

noun. One who or that which spans.

noun. An instrument for clasping and turning a nut on a screw, or for any similar purpose, as turning the wheel in cocking the old wheel-lock firearms, fastening and unfastening the couplings of fire-hose, etc.; a screw-key or screw-wrench. Spanners are made either with a hole to fit the shape of the nut, as square or hexagonal, or with movable jaws that can be tightened over a nut or a coupling of any shape.

noun. A cross-brace.

noun. In the parallel motion of a marine steam-engine, a rod which connects the jointed rods with the radius-bar; also, in some of the earlier engines, the hand-bar or lever by which the valves were moved for the admission and shutting off of the steam.

noun. A span-worm or looper.

noun. One who, or that which, spans.

noun. The lock of a fusee or carbine; also, the fusee or carbine itself.

noun. 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.

noun. A contrivance in some of the earlier steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.

noun. A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts.

noun. One who, or that which, spans.

noun. A hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket.

noun. A device in early steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.

noun. A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome (in the phrase spanner in the works)

noun. A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.

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

"A further one in 10 stated that a "spanner" was a term used to describe someone of limited intelligence."