noun one who, or that which, spans.
2. spanner ·noun the lock of a fusee or carbine; also, the fusee or carbine itself.
3. spanner ·noun a contrivance in some of the ealier steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.
4. spanner ·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.