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 versa2 aarchaic : 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 : grouch3: crystal 7

— crank·ish \ˈkraŋ-kish\ adjective