Definition of crank

• n. - 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.
• n. - Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage.
• n. - A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a change of the form or meaning of a word.
• n. - A twist or turn of the mind; caprice; whim; crotchet; also, a fit of temper or passion.
• n. - A person full of crotchets; one given to fantastic or impracticable projects; one whose judgment is perverted in respect to a particular matter.
• n. - A sick person; an invalid.
• n. - Sick; infirm.
• n. - 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.
• n. - Full of spirit; brisk; lively; sprightly; overconfident; opinionated.
• n. - To run with a winding course; to double; to crook; to wind and turn.