crane

n. [ AS. cran; akin to D. & LG. craan, G. kranich, krahn (this in sense 2), Gr. ge`ranos, L. grus, W. & Armor. garan, OSlav. zerav&ibreve_;, Lith. gerve, Icel. trani, Sw. trana, Dan. trane. √24. Cf. Geranium. ] 1. (Zool.) A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The common European crane is Grus cinerea. The sand-hill crane (Grus Mexicana) and the whooping crane (Grus Americana) are large American species. The Balearic or crowned crane is Balearica pavonina. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to the herons and cormorants. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any arm which swings about a vertical axis at one end, used for supporting a suspended weight. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. A machine for raising and lowering heavy weights, and, while holding them suspended, transporting them through a limited lateral distance. In one form it consists of a projecting arm or jib of timber or iron, a rotating post or base, and the necessary tackle, windlass, etc.; -- so called from a fancied similarity between its arm and the neck of a crane See Illust. of Derrick. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Naut.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Zool.) The American blue heron (Ardea herodias). [ Local, U. S. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Crane fly (Zool.), a dipterous insect with long legs, of the genus Tipula. --
Derrick crane. See Derrick. --
Gigantic crane. (Zool.) See Adjutant, n., 3. --
Traveling crane,
Traveler crane,
Traversing crane (Mach.), a crane mounted on wheels; esp., an overhead crane consisting of a crab or other hoisting apparatus traveling on rails or beams fixed overhead, as in a machine shop or foundry. --
Water crane, a kind of hydrant with a long swinging spout, for filling locomotive tenders, water carts, etc., with water. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Craned p. pr. & vb. n. Craning. ] 1. To cause to rise; to raise or lift, as by a crane; -- with up. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

What engines, what instruments are used in craning up a soul, sunk below the center, to the highest heavens. Bates. [ 1913 Webster ]

An upstart craned up to the height he has. Massinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane the neck disdainfully. G. Eliot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. to reach forward with head and neck, in order to see better; as, a hunter cranes forward before taking a leap. Beaconsfield. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

The passengers eagerly craning forward over the bulwarks. Howells. [ 1913 Webster ]