crank¹ Definition
crank (kraŋk)
noun
- 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
- Informal
- a person who has odd, stubborn notions about something; eccentric
- an irritable, complaining person; cranky person
- Archaic a bend or turn
- Rare
- a fanciful or unusual turn of speech or thought; conceit
- a queer or fantastic action or idea; whim; caprice
Etymology: ME < OE cranc-, as in crancstæf, yarn comb, cringe, crinkle: basic sense “something twisted”: for IE base see cradle
transitive verb
- to form into the shape of a crank
- to start or operate by means of a crank
- Rare to provide with a crank
intransitive verb
- to turn a crank, as in starting an engine or operating a device
- Obsolete to wind and twist; zigzag
crank¹ Idioms
crank out
☆Informal to produce at a steady and prolific rate: used to suggest automatic or machinelike production an author who cranks out bestsellers
crank up
Informal- to get started
- ☆ to increase, esp. to a high level, the loudness, speed, etc. of to crank up the volume on a stereo
crank² Definition
crank (kraŋk)
crank³ Definition
crank (kraŋk)
adjective
- Now Dial. high-spirited; lively
- cocky
Etymology: LME cranke < ?
crank Synonyms
crank
n.
crank Usage Examples
Object
- axle: The chassis, now further back in the workshop, showing the refitted crank axle.
- shaft: This allows the right angle drive to twist on the base plate as the belt drive from the engine crank shaft turns it.
- pin: Any very loose ones would be rebuilt with special MB Developments over sized crank pins.
- sensor: Ignition is done by delaying or advancing the crank angle sensors signal.
- seal: Includes Base and head gasket as well as crank seals.
- arm: The crank arms even had prototype stamped on them.
Modifies a noun
- axle: The crank axle is in front of the loco.
- pulley: Once set, make an easier to see mark on the rear timing cover above the crank pulley aligned with the scribed timing mark.
- pin: Connecting Rod The rod transmitting thrust from the pistons to the crank pin of the driving axle.
- shaft: Two outside cylinders mounted on each bogie drove a crank shaft between the axles, to which the power was transmitted by spur gears.
- sensor: The alloy plate on 2 stainless legs is the mounting for the crank position sensor.
- arm: That " Dynamite " sticker on the inside of the crank arms looks mint.
Noun used with modifier
steel: IS A lot of drivers were disappointed that there wasn't an option put in for steel cranks for this season.
Followed by a transitive particle
up: A chance to crank up the profits by a couple of quid per annum?
Particle object:
- notch: What I noticed in the 2nd arena was that the sound system was cranked up a notch compared to normal.
- friction: Crank up the 1:43 friction powered monster truck with the crank handle on the base of the launcher.
- volume: He would tune the team bus's radio to static then crank up the volume.
- tension: Petty's sense of how to crank up tension works to an extent with a creative use of sound effects.
- pressure: Which way they turn depends on activists building the resistance and the rank and file organization that can really crank up the pressure.
Followed by an intransitive particle
up: Want to crank up your sales to over ten thousand without breaking into a sweat?
Browse dictionary entries near crank
- ‹ cranium
- ‹ craniotomy
- ‹ craniosacral
- ‹ craniometry
- ‹ craniometer
- ‹ craniology
- ‹ cranio-
- ‹ craniate
- ‹ cranial nerve
- ‹ cranial index
- crankcase ›
- crankle ›
- crankous ›
- crankpin ›
- crankshaft ›
- cranky ›
- Cranmer ›
- Cranmer,Thomas ›
- crannied ›
- crannog ›

