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crank

noun
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\ ˈkraŋk How to pronounce crank (audio) \

Definition of crank

 (Entry 1 of 5)

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
2a 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 meth specifically : an impure form of crystal meth

crank

verb
cranked; cranking; cranks

Definition of crank (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

1 : to move with a winding course : zigzag
2a : 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 upthe campaign is cranking up

transitive verb

1 : to move or operate by or as if by a crank crank the window down
2a : to cause to start crank an automobile
b : to rotate the shaft (such as a crankshaft) of especially with a starter crank over an engine
c : to use in trying to start an engine crank the starter
3a : to start as if by use of a crank —usually used with upshe cranked up the air conditioner
b : turn up sense 2 —usually used with upcrank up the volume

crank

adjective (1)

Definition of crank (Entry 3 of 5)

: of, relating to, or being a bad-tempered or annoyingly eccentric person also : made or sent by such a person or by someone intending to be an annoyance or to cause harm crank calls a crank letter

crank

adjective (2)

Definition of crank (Entry 4 of 5)

1 chiefly dialectal : merry, high-spirited
2 chiefly dialectal : cocky, confident

crank

adjective (3)

Definition of crank (Entry 5 of 5)

of a boat
: easily tipped : tender entry 1 sense 4d
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Other Words from crank

Noun

crankish \ ˈkraŋ-​kish How to pronounce crankish (audio) \ adjective

Examples of crank in a Sentence

Noun To open the car window, turn the crank on the door. He was dismissed as a crank until his article was published. Most people think she's just a harmless crank. Verb He cranked the temperature to 75 degrees. Crank the engine to see if it will start.
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First Known Use of crank

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective (1)

1924, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (3)

circa 1649, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for crank

Noun

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

Adjective (2)

Middle English cranke

Adjective (3)

short for crank-sided easily tipped

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Time Traveler for crank

Time Traveler

The first known use of crank was in the 13th century

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Statistics for crank

Cite this Entry

“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crank. Accessed 5 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for crank

crank

noun
How to pronounce crank (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of crank

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a machine part with a handle that can be turned in a circular motion to move something
: a person who has strange ideas or thinks too much about one thing
US : a person who is often angry or easily annoyed

crank

verb

English Language Learners Definition of crank (Entry 2 of 2)

: to move (something) by turning a crank
informal : to increase (something) especially by a large amount
: to start or try to start (an engine) by using a crank or some other method to get it moving

See the full definition for crank in the English Language Learners Dictionary

crank

noun
\ ˈkraŋk How to pronounce crank (audio) \

Kids Definition of crank

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a bent part with a handle that is turned to start or run machinery
2 : a person with strange ideas
3 : a cross or irritable person

crank

verb
cranked; cranking

Kids Definition of crank (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to start or run by or as if by turning a part with a handle
2 : to make or become greater in speed or intensity crank the volume
crank out
: to produce quickly and often carelessly You can't just crank out a good book.

crank

noun
\ ˈkraŋk How to pronounce crank (audio) \

Medical Definition of crank

: crystal meth specifically : an impure form of crystal meth

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More from Merriam-Webster on crank

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for crank

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with crank

Spanish Central: Translation of crank

Nglish: Translation of crank for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of crank for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crank

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