crank Hear it!

crank¹ Definition

crank (kraŋk)

noun

  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
    1. a person who has odd, stubborn notions about something; eccentric
    2. an irritable, complaining person; cranky person
  3. Archaic a bend or turn
  4. Rare
    1. a fanciful or unusual turn of speech or thought; conceit
    2. 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

  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

intransitive verb

  1. to turn a crank, as in starting an engine or operating a device
  2. 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
  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 Definition

crank (kraŋk)

adjective

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

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

crank³ Definition

crank (kraŋk)

adjective

  1. Now Dial. high-spirited; lively
  2. cocky

Etymology: LME cranke < ?

crank Synonyms

crank

n.

  1. A device for revolving a shaft

    arm, lever, handle, brace, bracket, turning device, elbow, bend; see also arm 2, handle 1.

  2. *A person with an obsession

    eccentric, fanatic, monomaniac, crackpot*; see character 4, zealot.

  3. *An ill-natured person

    misanthrope, complainer, curmudgeon; see grouch.

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?