Crank (kr?nk), 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.

2. Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage.

So many turning cranks these have, so many crooks.
Spenser.

3. A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a change of the form or meaning of a word.

Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles.
Milton.

4. A twist or turn of the mind; caprice; whim; crotchet; also, a fit of temper or passion. [Prov. Eng.]

Violent of temper; subject to sudden cranks.
Carlyle.

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.]

6. A sick person; an invalid. [Obs.]

Thou art a counterfeit crank, a cheater.
Burton.

Crank (kr?nk), 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.]

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.

3. Full of spirit; brisk; lively; sprightly; overconfident; opinionated.

He who was, a little before, bedrid, . . . was now crank and lusty.
Udall.

If you strong electioners did not think you were among the elect, you would not be so crank about it.
Mrs. Stowe.

Crank, v. i. [See Crank, n.] To run with a winding course; to double; to crook; to wind and turn.

See how this river comes me cranking in.
Shak.

• (colloquial) an ill-tempered or nasty person
        Billy-Bob is a nasty, old crank! He chased my cat away.
  
• A bent piece of an axle, or shaft, or an arm attached at right angles to the end of a shaft or wheel, used to impart a circular action to a wheel or other mechanical device and create power; also used to change circular into reciprocating motion, or reciprocating into circular motion.
        Use the crank on the motorcycle and go for a ride.
  
• Converting power into motion, as with a crankshaft.
        Yes, a crank was all it needed to start.
  
• (US) (slang) Methamphetamine.
        Danny got abscesses from shooting all that bathtub crank.
  
• Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage.
       So many turning cranks these have, so many crooks. - Spenser.
  
• A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a change of the form or meaning of a word.
       Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles. - Milton.
  
• to turn a crank
       
• Crank it up!
       
• He's been cranking all day and yet it refuses to crank.
  
• To run with a winding course; to double; to crook; to wind and turn.
       See how this river comes me cranking in. - ShakespeareCategory:Shakespeare Quotes