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Spanner vs Spanker - What's the difference?

spanner | spanker |

In lang=en terms the difference between spanner and spanker

is that spanner is one who, or that which, spans while spanker is something very large, or larger than usual; a whopper.

As nouns the difference between spanner and spanker

is that spanner is a hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts while spanker is someone who spanks.

spanner

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (Australian, NZ, British, Irish) A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts.
    • Pass me that spanner , Jake; there's just one more nut to screw in.
  • (rare) One who, or that which, spans.
  • * 1915 , Florence Kiper Frank, The Jew to Jesus: and other poems
    • The scheme of the spanner of continents and the desire of the little husbandman hoarding for his loved ones...
  • (weaponry) A hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket.
  • :* 1786 , Fig. 10. The spanner for spanning or winding up the spring of the wheel lock. — Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons , page xvi.
  • (obsolete) A device in early steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.
  • (UK) A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome (in the phrase spanner in the works )
    • Halfway through the production of Macbeth, the director found that the stage was smaller than he expected. This really threw a spanner in the works.
  • (British, Irish, mildly, derogatory) A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.
    • You spanner , Rodney! I wanted a Chinese, not an Indian!

    Synonyms

    * (hand tool for nuts and bolts) wrench (US)

    Related terms

    * adjustable spanner * ring spanner * spanner barb * throw a spanner in the works

    Descendants

    * Malay: (l)

    Anagrams

    *

    spanker

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Someone who spanks.
  • An instrument used to give someone a spanking or spank, such as a paddle.
  • (nautical) A fore and aft gaff-rigged sail on the aft-most mast of a square-rigged vessel.
    • (Totten)
  • (dated, music) A musician who plays his instrument well.
  • (obsolete, UK, dialect) A small coin.
  • * 1772 , The Town and Country Magazine (volume 4, page 344)
    • Egad, Jack, I am glad to see you, for I want a few spankers .
  • (dated) One who takes long, quick strides in walking.
  • (dated) A swift horse.
  • (dated) Something very large, or larger than usual; a whopper.

    • Synonyms

    * (gaff-rigged sail) blooper, tallboy

    Derived terms

    * plank spanker