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crank

21 ENTRIES FOUND:

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

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

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

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