crank

¹

[ krangk ]

noun

1. Machinery. any of several types of arms or levers for imparting rotary or oscillatory motion to a rotating shaft, one end of the crank being fixed to the shaft and the other end receiving reciprocating motion from a hand, connecting rod, etc.
2. Informal. an ill-tempered, grouchy person.
3. an unbalanced person who is overzealous in the advocacy of a private cause.
4. an eccentric or whimsical notion.
5. a strikingly clever turn of speech or play on words.
6. Archaic. a bend; turn.
7. Slang. the nasal decongestant propylhexedrine, used illicitly for its euphoric effects.
8. Automotive Slang. a crankshaft.

verb (used with object)

1. to bend into or make in the shape of a crank.
2. to furnish with a crank.
3. Machinery. to rotate (a shaft) by means of a crank.
4. to start (an internal-combustion engine) by turning the crankshaft manually or by means of a small motor.
5. to start the engine of (a motor vehicle) by turning the crankshaft manually.

verb (used without object)

1. to turn a crank, as in starting an automobile engine.
2. Obsolete. to turn and twist; zigzag.

adjective

1. unstable; shaky; unsteady.
2. of, relating to, or by an unbalanced or overzealous person:

   a crank phone call; crank mail.

3. British Dialect. cranky ¹( def 5 ).

verb phrase

1. to make or produce in a mass-production, effortless, or mechanical way:

   She's able to crank out one best-selling novel after another.

2. to incorporate as an integral part:

   Overhead is cranked into the retail cost.

3. to cause to diminish or terminate:

   the president's efforts to crank down inflation.

4. Informal.
   1. to get started or ready:

      The theater season is cranking up with four benefit performances.

   2. to stimulate, activate, or produce:

      to crank up enthusiasm for a new product.

   3. to increase one's efforts, output, etc.:

      Industry began to crank up after the new tax incentives became law.

crank

²

[ krangk ]

adjective

, Nautical.

1. Also having a tendency to roll easily, as a boat or ship; tender ( stiff ).

noun

1. a crank vessel.

crank

³

[ krangk ]

adjective

, British Dialect.

1. lively; high-spirited.

crank

¹

/ kræŋk /

adjective

1. (of a sailing vessel) easily keeled over by the wind; tender

crank

²

/ kræŋk /

noun

1. a device for communicating motion or for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice versa. It consists of an arm projecting from a shaft, often with a second member attached to it parallel to the shaft
2. Also calledcrank handlestarting handle a handle incorporating a crank, used to start an engine or motor
3. informal.
   1. an eccentric or odd person, esp someone who stubbornly maintains unusual views
   2. a bad-tempered person

verb

1. tr to rotate (a shaft) by means of a crank
2. tr to start (an engine, motor, etc) by means of a crank handle
3. tr to bend, twist, or make into the shape of a crank
4. obsolete.
   intr to twist or wind

Other Words From

• crankless adjective
• non·cranking adjective
• un·cranked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crank¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English crank, cronk, Old English cranc-, in crancstæf, a kind of weaver's tool ( staff ¹ )

Origin of crank²

First recorded in 1690–1700; probably to be identified with crank ¹, but sense development unclear; crank-sided

Origin of crank³

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cranke; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of crank¹

C17: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to crank ¹

Origin of crank²

Old English cranc; related to Middle Low German krunke wrinkle, Dutch krinkel crinkle

Example Sentences

They will go in knowing next to nothing and will be staffed with cranks and scammers who know even less.

From Salon

Kennedy is known for pushing conspiracy theories and crank science.

From Salon

Can the British government afford to crank up defence spending more quickly?

From BBC

We’re slowly inducted into Ani’s world, watching as she spends the night grinding for tips, schmoozing big spenders, and cutting up with her fellow dancers about the lousy playlists the DJ is cranking.

From Salon

The move will be a major promotion for Alexander, 38, who has worked for NBC News since 2019, cranking out reports for its affiliate news service and the network.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curmudgeon