crank

¹crank

noun \ˈkraŋk\

Definition of CRANK

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

Examples of CRANK

1. To open the car window, turn the crank on the door.
2. He was dismissed as a crank until his article was published.
3. Most people think she's just a harmless crank.

Origin of CRANK

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CRANK

Synonyms

character, codger, crack, crackbrain, crackpot, eccentric, flake, fruitcake, head case, kook, nut, nutcase, nutter [British slang], oddball, oddity, original, quiz, screwball, weirdo, zany

Related Words

bohemian, maverick, nonconformist, quixote; coot, geezer; curio, rarity; freak; fantast, fantastico

Near Antonyms

conformer, conformist, follower, sheep

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

Rhymes with CRANK

bank, blank, clank, dank, flank, franc, frank, hank, lank, plank, prank, rank, shank, spank, stank, swank, tank, thank, yank, Yank

²crank

verb

Definition of CRANK

intransitive verb

1

: to move with a winding course : zigzag

2

a : to turn a crank

b : to get started by or as if by the turning of a crank

c : to gain speed, momentum, or intensity —usually used with up <the campaign is cranking up>

transitive verb

1

: to move or operate by or as if by a crank <crank the window down>

2

a : to cause to start (as an automobile)

b : to rotate the shaft (as a crankshaft) of especially with a starter <crank over an engine>

c : to use in trying to start an engine <crank the starter>

3

a : to start as if by use of a crank —usually used with up <she cranked up the air conditioner>

b : turn up 2 —usually used with up <crank up the volume>

Examples of CRANK

1. He cranked the temperature to 75 degrees.
2. Crank the engine to see if it will start.

First Known Use of CRANK

1592

³crank

adjective

Definition of CRANK

: of, relating to, or being a cranky or eccentric person; also : made or sent by such a person <crank calls> <a crank letter>

First Known Use of CRANK

1924

⁴crank

adjective

Definition of CRANK

1

chiefly dialect : merry, high-spirited

2

chiefly dialect : cocky, confident

Origin of CRANK

Middle English cranke

First Known Use: 15th century

⁵crank

adjective

Definition of CRANK

of a boat

: easily tipped : tender 7d

Origin of CRANK

short for crank-sided easily tipped

First Known Use: circa 1649

crank

noun \ˈkraŋk\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CRANK

: crystal 2

crank

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In mechanics, an arm secured at right angles to a shaft with which it can rotate or oscillate. Next to the wheel, the crank is the most important motion-transmitting device, because, with the connecting rod, it provides means for converting linear to rotary motion, and vice versa. The first recognizable crank is said to have appeared in China in the 1st century AD. The carpenter's brace was invented c. 1400 by a Flemish carpenter. The first mechanical connecting rods were reportedly used on a treadle-operated machine in 1430. About this time, flywheels were added to the rotating members to carry the members over the “dead” positions when the rod and the crank arm are lined up with each other.