span ‧ ner /ˈspænə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable] British English
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: German ]
1 . a metal tool that fits over a ↑ nut , used for turning the nut to make it tight or to undo it SYN wrench American English
2 . put/throw a spanner in the works informal to unexpectedly do something that prevents a plan or process from succeeding