Definition: The Crescent wrench is actually a brand name for an adjustable wrench which features a sliding jaw that changes the width of the wrench depending upon how wide your bolt is. It's called a "crescent" because of the shape of the head of the wrench, which is shaped like a crescent moon. The Crescent company's version was so widely used that it became the common name of the tool for many situations.
This tool is both useful and potentially damaging at the same time. Used correctly, it's a versatile tool that can be adapted to many situations and is a great substitute for having 100 wrenches in your took kit. It can be a bad tool, though, when used in a situation which requires a more precise tool, such as when tightening an axle bolt. High stress situations that require very tight bolts (or loosening bolts that were tightened) can cause this wrench to slip. This can damage the head of the bolt, making it even harder to loosen, and can also cause your hand to hit something close by, which can be pretty painful.
Pronunciation: kreh-sent wrench
Also Known As: adjustable wrench
Common Misspellings: cresent
Examples:
I didn't have the exact size of the starter bolt, but my Crescent wrench was able to remove it safely.
