Crank (kr?nk), n. [OE. cranke; akin to E. cringe, cringle, crinkle, and to crank, a., the root meaning, probably, "to turn, twist." See Cringe.]
1. Mach.
A bent portion of an axle, or shaft, or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft, by which motion is imparted to or received from it; also used to change circular into reciprocating motion, or reciprocating into circular motion. See Bell crank.
2.
Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage.
So many turning cranks these have, so many crooks.
Spenser.
3.
A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a change of the form or meaning of a word.
Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles.
Milton.
4.
A twist or turn of the mind; caprice; whim; crotchet; also, a fit of temper or passion.
[Prov. Eng.]
Violent of temper; subject to sudden cranks.
Carlyle.
5.
A person full of crotchets; one given to fantastic or impracticable projects; one whose judgment is perverted in respect to a particular matter.
[Colloq.]
6.
A sick person; an invalid.
[Obs.]
Thou art a counterfeit crank, a cheater.
Burton.
Crank axle Mach., a driving axle formed with a crank or cranks, as in some kinds of locomotives. -- Crank pin Mach., the cylindrical piece which forms the handle, or to which the connecting rod is attached, at the end of a crank, or between the arms of a double crank. -- Crank shaft, a shaft bent into a crank, or having a crank fastened to it, by which it drives or is driven. -- Crank wheel, a wheel acting as a crank, or having a wrist to which a connecting rod is attached.
© Webster 1913.
Crank (kr?nk), a. [AS. cranc weak; akin to Icel. krangr, D. & G. krank sick, weak (cf.D. krengen to careen). Cf. Crank, n.]
1.
Sick; infirm.
[Prov. Eng.]
2. Naut.
Liable to careen or be overest, as a ship when she is too narrow, or has not sufficient ballast, or is loaded too high, to carry full sail.
3.
Full of spirit; brisk; lively; sprightly; overconfident; opinionated.
He who was, a little before, bedrid, . . . was now crank and lusty.
Udall.
If you strong electioners did not think you were among the elect, you would not be so crank about it.
Mrs. Stowe.
© Webster 1913.
Crank, v. i. [See Crank, n. ]
To run with a winding course; to double; to crook; to wind and turn.
See how this river comes me cranking in.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.