GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 3 definitions
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Crank (krăṉk), 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.
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2. Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage.
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So many turning cranks these have, so many crooks. Spenser.
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3. A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a change of the form or meaning of a word.
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Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles. Milton.
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4. A twist or turn of the mind; caprice; whim; crotchet; also, a fit of temper or passion. [Prov. Eng.]
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Violent of temper; subject to sudden cranks. Carlyle.
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5. A person full of crotchets; one given to fantastic or impracticable projects; one whose judgment is perverted in respect to a particular matter. [Colloq.]
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6. A sick person; an invalid. [Obs.]
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Thou art a counterfeit crank, a cheater. Burton.
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Crank axle (Mach.), a driving axle formed with a crank or cranks, as in some kinds of locomotives. -- Crank pin (Mach.), the cylindrical piece which forms the handle, or to which the connecting rod is attached, at the end of a crank, or between the arms of a double crank. -- Crank shaft, a shaft bent into a crank, or having a crank fastened to it, by which it drives or is driven. -- Crank wheel, a wheel acting as a crank, or having a wrist to which a connecting rod is attached.
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Crank (krăṉk), 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.]
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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.
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3. Full of spirit; brisk; lively; sprightly; overconfident; opinionated.
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He who was, a little before, bedrid, . . . was now crank and lusty. Udall.
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If you strong electioners did not think you were among the elect, you would not be so crank about it. Mrs. Stowe.
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Crank, v. i. [See Crank, n.] To run with a winding course; to double; to crook; to wind and turn.
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See how this river comes me cranking in. Shak.
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