tube wrench
- noun
- /tjuːb rɛntʃ/
- Specialized
:
llave de tubo
- Make sure the tube wrench is adjusted properly so it grips the pipe securely.
Examples
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The plumber reached for his tube wrench to remove the old section of piping.
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He used a tube wrench to tighten the leaky pipe under the sink.
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He used a tube wrench to fix the leaking pipe.
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The tube wrench is essential for plumbing jobs.
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He used a tube wrench to tighten the leaky pipe under the sink.
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Make sure the tube wrench is adjusted properly so it grips the pipe securely.
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The plumber reached for his tube wrench to remove the old section of piping.
Synonyms
1
3.7
A large adjustable tool with jaws that have teeth for gripping and turning pipes
A large metal tool with L-shaped jaws that grip tighter when you push the handle to turn pipes
A hand tool with a chain loop that grips and turns pipes or other round things
A wrench with a handle shaped like a crank used to turn pipes or round metal parts
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is compositionally transparent: 'tube' (a hollow cylinder/pipe) plus 'wrench' (a gripping/turning tool) straightforwardly yields a tool for gripping/turning tubes. This follows a common noun+noun naming pattern (also found in other languages) so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
The noun tube wrench is named for what it does: its jaws clamp a tube, a round pipe, so you can use the wrench to 'turn' or 'hold' the pipe. That's why the term means a tool used to grip and turn pipes.