n.; pl. Crotches [ Cf. Crotchet, Crutch. ] 1. The angle formed by the parting of two legs or branches; a fork; the point where a trunk divides; as, the crotch of a tree. more specifically, the space on the human torso between the two legs; also, the corresponding part between the legs of a pair of pants, which is in contact with the crotch of the wearer; as, pants with a tight crotch have become very popular. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. (Naut.) A stanchion or post of wood or iron, with two arms for supporting a boom, spare yards, etc.; -- called also crane and crutch. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Billiards) In the three-ball carom game, a small space at each corner of the table. See Crotched, below. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Crotched p. pr. & vb. n. Crotch"ing.] 1. To provide with a crotch; to give the form of a crotch to; as, to crotch the ends of ropes in splicing or tying knots. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. (Logging) To notch (a log) on opposite sides to provide a grip for the dogs in hauling. [Western, U. S.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

. (Logging) A form of tackle for loading a log sideways on a sled, skidway, etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. 1. Having a crotch; forked. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Cross; peevish. [ Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Billiards) Lying within a crotch; -- said of the object balls in the three-ball carom game whenever the centers of both lie within a 41/2-inch square at a corner of the table, in which case but three counts are allowed unless one or both balls be forced out of the crotch. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ F. crochet, prop., a little hook, a dim. from the same source as croc hook. See Crook, and cf. Crochet, Crocket, Crosier. ] 1. A forked support; a crotch. [ 1913 Webster ]

The crotchets of their cot in columns rise. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mus.) A time note, with a stem, having one fourth the value of a semibreve, one half that of a minim, and twice that of a quaver; a quarter note. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Fort.) An indentation in the glacis of the covered way, at a point where a traverse is placed. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mil.) The arrangement of a body of troops, either forward or rearward, so as to form a line nearly perpendicular to the general line of battle. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Print.) A bracket. See Bracket. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Med.) An instrument of a hooked form, used in certain cases in the extraction of a fetus. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. A perverse fancy; a whim which takes possession of the mind; a conceit. [ 1913 Webster ]

He ruined himself and all that trusted in him by crotchets that he could never explain to any rational man. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To play music in measured time. [ Obs. ] Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Marked or measured by crotchets; having musical notation. Harmar (1587). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or character of being crotchety, or whimsical. [ 1913 Webster ]

This belief in rightness is a kind of conscientiousness, and when it degenerates it becomes crotchetiness. J. Grote. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Given to crotchets; subject to whims; as, a crotchety man. [ 1913 Webster ]