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crank

Definition

  • noun: a machine part with a handle that can be turned in a circular motion to move something
  • noun: a bent part of an axle or shaft or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft by which circular motion is imparted to or received from the shaft or by which reciprocating motion is changed into circular motion or vice versa
  • verb: to move (something) by turning a crank
  • verb: to move with a winding course
  • adjective: made or sent as a joke or to cause harm
  • adjective: of, relating to, or being a 'cranky' or eccentric person
  • used especially in the phrase 'quips and cranks'
  • synonyms: caprice, whim, crotchet

Examples

  • Not many musicians are able to 'crank out' an album in just six months.

  • He 'cranked' [='turned'] the steering wheel quickly to the left.

  • He was dismissed as a 'crank' until his article was published.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) (Crewman) Keep on rocking ! Oars in place ! Get an oar under it ! Women and children only, damn you ! (Crewman) Hold it ! Hold it ! (men yelling) Get these davits cranked in ! Then get the falls hooked up ! (Murdoch) Stay back ! Mommy... ! Keep going up ! (Murdoch) Stop pushing ! (..)
    1997 Titanic
  • (..) ...through the ordeal. I think they should take all your receipts and put them... ...in one of those big, Lucite sweepstake drums... ...and just kind of crank it around there. Give you a feeling like you might win something. You know what I mean? Then they can pull them out and go: "Oh, I'm sorry. (..)
    1991 TvShow: Seinfeld Title: The Truth Season: 3 Episode 2
  • (..) for the victims, Mr., uh... - Garabedian. - Thanks, Eileen. Mr. Garabedian says Cardinal law found out about it years ago and did nothing. I think that attorney's a bit of a crank. And the church dismissed the claim. He said, she said. Whether Mr. Garabedian is a crank or not, (..)
    2015 Spotlight