crank: Meaning and Definition of

crank

Pronunciation: (krangk), [key]
— n.
  1. 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. 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. a bend; turn.
  7. the nasal decongestant propylhexedrine, used illicitly for its euphoric effects.
  8. a crankshaft.
—v.t.
  1. to bend into or make in the shape of a crank.
  2. to furnish with a crank.
  3. 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.
—v.i.
  1. to turn a crank, as in starting an automobile engine.
  2. to turn and twist; zigzag.
  3. to cause to diminish or terminate: the president's efforts to crank down inflation.
  4. to incorporate as an integral part: Overhead is cranked into the retail cost.
  5. to make or produce in a mass-production, effortless, or mechanical way: She's able to crank out one best-selling novel after another.
  6. The theater season is cranking up with four benefit performances.
    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.
—adj.
  1. unstable; shaky; unsteady.
  2. of, pertaining to, or by an unbalanced or overzealous person: a crank phone call; crank mail.
  3. cranky (def. 5).

crank

Pronunciation: (krangk), [key]
— adj. Naut.
  1. having a tendency to roll easily, as a boat or ship; tender (opposed to stiff).
—n.
  1. a crank vessel.

crank

Pronunciation: (krangk), [key]
— adj. Brit. Dial.
  1. lively; high-spirited.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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