[crane] n [ME cran, fr. OE; akin to OHG krano crane, Gk geranos, L grus] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a family (Gruidae of the order Gruiformes) of tall wading birds superficially resembling the herons but structurally more nearly related to the rails
2: any of several herons
3: an often horizontal projection swinging about a vertical axis: as a: a machine for raising, shifting, and lowering heavy weights by means of a projecting swinging arm or with the hoisting apparatus supported on an overhead track b: an iron arm in a fireplace for supporting kettles c: a boom for holding a motion-picture or television camera
[2]crane vb craned ; cran.ing vt (1570) 1: to raise or lift by or as if by a crane
2: to stretch (as the neck) toward an object of attention "craning her neck to get a better view" ~ vi 1: to stretch one's neck toward an object of attention "I craned out of the window of my compartment --Webb Waldron"
2: hesitate