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Glite Dictionary
Stillson wrench

Stillson wrench

8.1
A large metal tool with L-shaped jaws that grip tighter when you push the handle to turn pipes
  • noun
  • /ˈstɪl.sən rɛntʃ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : llave Stillson
  • He reached for the Stillson wrench to loosen the stubborn bolts on the old machine.

Examples

  • With the Stillson wrench in hand, she was able to fix the rusted coupling easily.

  • If somebody cheats me, I'll hit him with a Stillson wrench... and shove him down a culvert.

    Pocket Money (1972)

  • The plumber used a Stillson wrench to tighten the leaking pipe under the sink.

Synonyms

pipe wrench
vsStillson wrench
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A large adjustable tool with jaws that have teeth for gripping and turning pipes

has L shaped jaws that grip tighter as more handle pressure is applied
tube wrench
vsStillson wrench
  • Specialized
4.8

A tool with two jaws that have teeth and that grips and turns pipes

uses jaws that tighten automatically with more handle pressure rather than manual adjustment

Surface Forms

Stillson wrench singular
Stillson wrenches plural

Morphology

Stillson + wrench

The structure 'Stillson wrench' (proper name + noun) transparently signals that this is a type or subtype of wrench, so a B1 learner who knows 'wrench' would infer it is a kind of tool. However, 'Stillson' is a proper name with no lexical meaning, so the specific mechanical properties (pipe wrench with self-tightening L-shaped jaws) are not derivable from the parts and require prior knowledge.

Etymology

Stillson wrench is named after Daniel C. Stillson, an American mechanic in the 1800s who made a pipe tool with jaws that clamp harder when you pull the handle. Because of that design, the name Stillson wrench now means a large pipe wrench that 'grips tighter' as you turn it.