chain wrench
- noun
- Specialized
- You need a chain wrench to loosen that stubborn pipe fitting.
Examples
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The mechanic reached for a chain wrench to grip the large metal valve.
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Always position the chain wrench securely before applying force to avoid slippage.
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The plumber used a chain wrench to tighten the pipe.
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I bought a new chain wrench for my toolbox.
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The mechanic reached for a chain wrench to grip the large metal valve.
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You need a chain wrench to loosen that stubborn pipe fitting.
-
Always position the chain wrench securely before applying force to avoid slippage.
Synonyms
A hand tool with a shaped opening that grips and turns nuts and bolts
A thing you hold and use with your hands, not powered by a machine, like a hammer or screwdriver
A large adjustable tool with jaws that have teeth for gripping and turning pipes
A tool with a chain and handle that grips and turns large pipes
A large metal tool with L-shaped jaws that grip tighter when you push the handle to turn pipes
A tool with two jaws that have teeth and that grips and turns pipes
A wrench with a handle shaped like a crank used to turn pipes or round metal parts
A tool that turns nuts and bolts to make them tight or loose
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'chain' (a loop or series of linked rings) with 'wrench' (a hand tool for gripping/turning), so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a type of wrench that uses a chain. This noun–noun compound follows a common naming pattern for tools and has clear cross-linguistic equivalents, making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Chain wrench is named for the metal chain that wraps around a pipe and the wrench handle you turn. When you turn the handle the chain tightens and grips the pipe, so the name helps you remember it is used to 'grip and turn' round objects.