Main Entry: ¹crank

Pronunciation: \ˈkraŋk\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English cranke, from Old English cranc- (as in crancstæf, a weaving instrument); probably akin to Middle High German krank weak, sick — more at cringe

Date: 13th century

1 : a bent part of an axle or shaft or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft by which circular motion is imparted to or received from the shaft or by which reciprocating motion is changed into circular motion or vice versa
2 a archaic : bend b : a twist or turn of speech : conceit —used especially in the phrase quips and cranks c (1) : caprice, crotchet (2) : an annoyingly eccentric person; also : one who is overly enthusiastic about a particular subject or activity d : a bad-tempered person : grouch
3 : crystal 7

— crank·ish \ˈkraŋ-kish\ adjective