crank

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage. [ 1913 Webster ]

So many turning cranks these have, so many crooks. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a change of the form or meaning of a word. [ 1913 Webster ]

Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A twist or turn of the mind; caprice; whim; crotchet; also, a fit of temper or passion. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Violent of temper; subject to sudden cranks. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A sick person; an invalid. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou art a counterfeit crank, a cheater. Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]