[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

crank \crank\ kra^ngk, 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
see also:
cringe bell crank crank axle crank pin crank shaft crank wheel 

Crank Shaft >> C Words
Crank Shaft, definition of term: Crank Shaft
crank+shaft_pag1.html

Shaft >> S Words
Shaft, definition of term: Shaft
shaft_pag1.html

Crank >> C Words
Crank, definition of term: Crank
crank_pag1.html

Shaft Alley >> S Words
Shaft Alley, definition of term: Shaft Alley
shaft+alley_pag1.html

Crank Call >> C Words
Crank Call, definition of term: Crank Call
crank+call_pag1.html

Shaft Louse >> S Words
Shaft Louse, definition of term: Shaft Louse
shaft+louse_pag1.html

Bell Crank >> B Words
Bell Crank, definition of term: Bell Crank
bell+crank_pag1.html