2. (Zo["o]l.) The American blue heron ({Ardea herodias}).
[Local, U. S.]
Note: The common European crane is {Grus cinerea}. The
sand-hill crane ({G. Mexicana}) and the whooping crane
({G. Americana}) are large American species. The
Balearic or crowned crane is {Balearica pavonina}. The
name is sometimes erroneously applied to the herons and
cormorants.
2. A machine for raising and lowering heavy weights, and,
while holding them suspended, transporting them through a
limited lateral distance. In one form it consists of a
projecting arm or jib of timber or iron, a rotating post
or base, and the necessary tackle, windlass, etc.; -- so
called from a fancied similarity between its arm and the
neck of a crane See Illust. of {Derrick}.
3. An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side
or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over
a fire.
4. A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.
5. (Naut.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support
spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See {Crotch}, 2.
{Crane fly} (Zo["o]l.), a dipterous insect with long legs, of
the genus {Tipula}.
{Derrick crane}. See {Derrick}.
{Gigantic crane}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Adjutant}, n., 3.
{Traveling crane}, {Traveler crane}, {Traversing crane}
(Mach.), a crane mounted on wheels; esp., an overhead
crane consisting of a crab or other hoisting apparatus
traveling on rails or beams fixed overhead, as in a
machine shop or foundry.
{Water crane}, a kind of hydrant with a long swinging spout,
for filling locomotive tenders, water carts, etc., with
water.
What engines, what instruments are used in craning
up a soul, sunk below the center, to the highest
heavens. --Bates.
An upstart craned up to the height he has.
--Massinger.
2. To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane
the neck disdainfully. --G. Eliot.
The passengers eagerly craning forward over the
bulwarks. --Howells.
2. (Naut.) A stanchion or post of wood or iron, with two arms
for supporting a boom, spare yards, etc.; -- called also
{crane} and {crutch}. --Totten.