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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Crank \Crank\ (kr[a^][ng]k), n. [OE. cranke; akin to E. cringe,
cringle, crinkle, and to crank, a., the root meaning,
probably, "to turn, twist." See {Cringe}.]
1. (Mach.) A bent portion of an axle, or shaft, or an arm
keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft, by which
motion is imparted to or received from it; also used to
change circular into reciprocating motion, or
reciprocating into circular motion. See {Bell crank}.
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2. Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage.
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So many turning cranks these have, so many crooks.
--Spenser.
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3. A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a
change of the form or meaning of a word.
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Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles. --Milton.
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4. A twist or turn of the mind; caprice; whim; crotchet;
also, a fit of temper or passion. [Prov. Eng.]
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Violent of temper; subject to sudden cranks.
--Carlyle.
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5. A person full of crotchets; one given to fantastic or
impracticable projects; one whose judgment is perverted in
respect to a particular matter. [Colloq.]
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6. A sick person; an invalid. [Obs.]
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Thou art a counterfeit crank, a cheater. --Burton.
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{Crank axle} (Mach.), a driving axle formed with a crank or
cranks, as in some kinds of locomotives.

{Crank pin} (Mach.), the cylindrical piece which forms the
handle, or to which the connecting rod is attached, at the
end of a crank, or between the arms of a double crank.

{Crank shaft}, a shaft bent into a crank, or having a crank
fastened to it, by which it drives or is driven.

{Crank wheel}, a wheel acting as a crank, or having a wrist
to which a connecting rod is attached.
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Crank \Crank\ (kr[a^][ng]k), a. [AS. cranc weak; akin to Icel.
krangr, D. & G. krank sick, weak (cf. D. krengen to careen).
Cf. {Crank}, n.]
1. Sick; infirm. [Prov. Eng.]
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2. (Naut.) Liable to careen or be overset, as a ship when she
is too narrow, or has not sufficient ballast, or is loaded
too high, to carry full sail.
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3. Full of spirit; brisk; lively; sprightly; overconfident;
opinionated.
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He who was, a little before, bedrid, . . . was now
crank and lusty. --Udall.
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If you strong electioners did not think you were
among the elect, you would not be so crank about it.
--Mrs. Stowe.
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Crank \Crank\, v. i. [See {Crank}, n.]
To run with a winding course; to double; to crook; to wind
and turn.
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See how this river comes me cranking in. --Shak.
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