Noun: crank krangk
- A hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle
"He used the crank to start the old car's engine";
- starter
- A bad-tempered person
"The old crank complained about everything";
- grouch, grump, churl, crosspatch [informal]
- A whimsically eccentric person
"The neighbourhood crank was known for his outlandish conspiracy theories";
- crackpot [informal], nut [informal], nutcase [informal], fruitcake [informal], screwball [informal]
- [informal] An amphetamine derivative (trade name Methedrine) used in the form of a crystalline hydrochloride; used as a stimulant to the nervous system and as an appetite suppressant
"crank abuse has become a serious problem in many communities";
- methamphetamine, methamphetamine hydrochloride, Methedrine, meth [informal], deoxyephedrine, chalk [informal], glass [informal], ice [informal], shabu [Asia, informal], trash [informal], tik [S.Africa], crystal meth, crystal [informal]
- Rotate with a crank
"He cranked the old car's engine"; "The child cranked up the jack-in-the-box toy";
- crank up
- Start by cranking
"crank up the engine";
- crank up
- Travel along a zigzag path
"The river cranks through the countryside";
- zigzag
- Fasten with a crank
"He cranked the window shut to keep out the cold air"
- Bend into the shape of a crank
"The metalworker cranked the rod to form the handle"
- (used of boats) inclined to heel over easily under sail
"The crank sailing boat required careful handling in strong winds";
- cranky [informal], tender, tippy
Derived forms: cranks, cranked, cranking
See also: unstable
Type of: amphetamine, bend, circumvolve, controlled substance, dag [Austral, NZ, informal], deform, disagreeable person, eccentric, fasten, fix, flake [N. Amer, informal], flex, geek [informal], go, hand tool, locomote, move, oddball [informal], pep pill [informal], rotate, secure, speed [informal], start, start up, travel, turn, twist, unpleasant person, upper [informal]
Encyclopedia: Crank, John