Etymology

crescent spanner

Today it means: An open-end adjustable spanner with a worm-drive thumbwheel. When the term adjustable spanner or adjustable wrench is used, this type (branded with any of many brands) is usually the type meant. Full definition →

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The story

A genericization of the trade name of a company famous for making them (although it did not invent them); details are at Wikipedia. The trademark is still protected, and this genericized term is only informal and loose. Compare kleenex and coke.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.