crank

crank

crank¹ [kraŋk]

n.

[ME < OE cranc-, as in crancstæf, yarn comb, CRINGE, CRINKLE: basic sense “something twisted”: for IE base see CRADLE]

1. a handle or arm bent at right angles and connected to a shaft of a machine, used to transmit motion or to change rotary motion into reciprocating motion, or vice versa

2. Informal

a) a person who has odd, stubborn notions about something; eccentric

b) an irritable, complaining person; cranky person

3. Archaic a bend or turn

4. Rare

a) a fanciful or unusual turn of speech or thought; conceit

b) a queer or fantastic action or idea; whim; caprice

vt.

1. to form into the shape of a crank

2. to start or operate by means of a crank

3. Rare to provide with a crank

vi.

1. to turn a crank, as in starting an engine or operating a device

2. Obs. to wind and twist; zigzag

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☆ crank out

Informal to produce at a steady and prolific rate: used to suggest automatic or machinelike production [an author who cranks out bestsellers]

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crank up Informal

1. to get started

☆ 2. to increase, esp. to a high level, the loudness, speed, etc. of [to crank up the volume on a stereo]

crank² [kraŋk]

adj.

[earlier crank sided < Du or Fris krengd, laid over (< krengan, to push over, lit., make cringe; akin to CRINGE): assimilated in form to CRANK¹]

1. Naut. CRANKY (sense 5)

2. loose and shaky: said of machinery

crank³ [kraŋk]

adj.

[LME cranke < ?]

1. Now Dial. high-spirited; lively

2. cocky