1. [n]  a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle
2. [n]  a whimsically eccentric person
3. [n]  a bad-tempered person
4. [adj]  (used of boats) inclined to heel over easily under sail
5. [v]  bend into the shape of a crank
6. [v]  fasten with a crank
7. [v]  rotate with a crank
8. [v]  start by cranking; of engines
9. [v]  travel along a zigzag path; "The river zigzags through the countryside"

1. \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 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.
   
   

2. \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.
   
   

3. \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.
   
   

(Automotive slang) Verb used to describe the performance of a machine, especially sustained performance. "This box cranks (or, cranks at) about 6 megaflops, with a burst mode of twice that on vectorised operations."

[jargon file]