Definitions
1.nounA hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts; a wrench."Pass me that spanner, Jake; there's just one more nut to screw in."
2.nounOne who, or that which, spans.
3.nounA hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket.
4.nounA device in early steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.
5.nounA problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome (in the phrase spanner in the works)
6.noun(mildly) A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.