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crank

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Crank is defined as a handle or a bent arm which is used to make a motor or machine rotate, or a crank is an informal term for a grouchy person.

(noun)

An example of a crank is the handle you turn to churn ice cream on an old-fashioned ice cream freezer.
An example of a crank is a person who is constantly complaining.

Crank means to start or operate something by turning a handle, or is slang for turning up the volume.

(verb)

An example of crank is to turn the handle on an ice cream maker.
An example of crank is to turn the sound on a stereo system, to crank up the volume.

The definition of crank is owned by or resulting from a grouchy or irrational person.

(adjective)

An example of crank used as an adjective is in the phrase "crank call," which means a phone call from a prankster.

See crank in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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
1. a person who has odd, stubborn notions about something; eccentric
2. an irritable, complaining person; cranky person
Archaic a bend or turn
Rare
1. a fanciful or unusual turn of speech or thought; conceit
2. a queer or fantastic action or idea; whim; caprice

Origin: 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

adjective

Naut. cranky (sense )
loose and shaky: said of machinery

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

adjective

Now Dial. high-spirited; lively
cocky

Origin: LME cranke < ?

See crank in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A device for transmitting rotary motion, consisting of a handle or arm attached at right angles to a shaft.
A clever turn of speech; a verbal conceit: quips and cranks.
A peculiar or eccentric idea or action.
Informal
a. A grouchy person.
b. An eccentric person, especially one who is unduly zealous.
Slang Methamphetamine.

verb cranked, crank·ing, cranks

verb, transitive

a. To start or operate (an engine, for example) by or as if by turning a handle.
b. To move or operate (a window, for example) by or as if by turning a handle.
To make into the shape of a crank; bend.
To provide with a handle that is used in turning.

verb, intransitive

To turn a handle.
To wind in a zigzagging course.

adjective

Of, being, or produced by an eccentric person: a crank letter; a crank phone call.

Phrasal Verbs: crank out To produce, especially mechanically and rapidly: cranks out memo after memo. crank up To cause to start or get started as if by turning a crank: cranked up a massive publicity campaign. To cause to intensify, as in volume or force: cranks up the sound on the stereo.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English cranc- (as in crancstǽf, weaving implement)

adjective
Nautical

Liable to capsize; unstable.

Origin:

Origin: Origin unknown

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