Hypertext Webster Gateway: "crank"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Crank \Crank\ (kr?nk), n. [OE. cranke; akin to E. cringe,
cringle, crinkle, and to crank, a., the root meaning,
probably, ``to turn, twist.'' See {Cringe}.]
1. (Mach.) A bent portion of an axle, or shaft, or an arm
keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft, by which
motion is imparted to or received from it; also used to
change circular into reciprocating motion, or
reciprocating into circular motion. See {Bell crank}.
2. Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage.
So many turning cranks these have, so many crooks.
--Spenser.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Crank \Crank\ (kr?nk), a. [AS. cranc weak; akin to Icel. krangr,
D. & G. krank sick, weak (cf. D. krengen to careen). Cf.
{Crank}, n.]
1. Sick; infirm. [Prov. Eng.]
2. (Naut.) Liable to careen or be overset, as a ship when she
is too narrow, or has not sufficient ballast, or is loaded
too high, to carry full sail.
3. Full of spirit; brisk; lively; sprightly; overconfident;
opinionated.
He who was, a little before, bedrid, . . . was now
crank and lusty. --Udall.
If you strong electioners did not think you were
among the elect, you would not be so crank about it.
--Mrs. Stowe.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Crank \Crank\, v. i. [See {Crank}, n.]
To run with a winding course; to double; to crook; to wind
and turn.
See how this river comes me cranking in. --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
crank
adj : (used of boats) inclined to heel over easily under sail
[syn: {cranky}, {tender}, {tippy}]
n 1: a bad-tempered person [syn: {grouch}, {grump}, {churl}, {crosspatch}]
2: a whimsically eccentric person [syn: {crackpot}, {nut}, {nut
case}, {nutcase}, {fruitcake}, {screwball}]
3: a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel
handle [syn: {starter}]
v 1: travel along a zigzag path: "The river zigzags through the
countryside" [syn: {zigzag}]
2: start by cranking; of engines [syn: {crank up}]
3: rotate with a crank [syn: {crank up}]
4: fasten with a crank
5: bend into the shape of a crank
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