Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Crank
Crank
(krăṉk)
, Noun.
[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.
3.
A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a change of the form or meaning of a word.
Quips, and
cranks
, and wanton wiles. Milton.
4.
A twist or turn of the mind; caprice; whim; crotchet; also, a fit of temper or passion.
[Prov. Eng.]
Violent of temper; subject to sudden
cranks
. Carlyle.
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.]
6.
A sick person; an invalid.
[Obs.]
Thou art a counterfeit
crank
, a cheater. Burton.
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.
Crank
(krăṉk)
, Adj.
[AS. ]
cranc
weak; akin to Icel. krangr
, D. & G. krank
sick, weak (cf. D. krengen
to careen). Cf. Crank
, Noun.
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.
Crank
,Verb.
I.
[See ]
Crank
, Noun.
To run with a winding course; to double; to crook; to wind and turn.
See how this river comes me
cranking
in. Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Crank
CRANK
,Noun.
1.
Literally, a bend or turn. Hence, an iron axis with the end bent like an elbow, for moving a piston, the saw in a saw-mill, &c., and causing it to rise and fall at every turn.2.
Any bend, turn or winding.3.
A twisting or turning is speech; a conceit which consists in a change of the form or meaning of a word.Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles.
4.
An iron brace for various purposes.CRANK
,Adj.
1.
In seamens language, liable to be overset, as a ship when she is too narrow, or has not sufficient ballast to carry full sail.2.
Stout; bold; erect; as a cock crowing crank.