allen

n. a short name for an Allen wrench or Allen key, which is an L-shaped tool used to turn screws with a six-sided hole.

n. a colloquial ellipsis for an Allen wrench or Allen key, referring to a hexagonal-sectioned L-shaped tool used for driving bolts and screws with a hexagonal socket.

“I need an Allen to tighten the screws on this new bookshelf.”

“The flat-pack furniture kit arrived with a small disposable Allen, though using a professional-grade hex key set would have been significantly more efficient.”

Informal

n. a common English and Scottish family name or a man's first name.

n. a common surname of English and Scottish origin, or a masculine given name derived from Celtic roots.

“Mr. Allen is the new science teacher at our local high school.”

“The historical documents were signed by a man named Allen, though the spelling of the surname varied across different parish records from that era.”