/ ˈkræŋki; NAmE / adjective ( informal )
1.
( BrE ) strange
SYN eccentric :
cranky ideas / schemes
2.
( especially NAmE ) bad-tempered :
The kids were getting tired and a little cranky.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent. (in the sense sickly, in poor health ): perhaps from obsolete (counterfeit) crank a rogue pretending to be sick , from Dutch or German krank sick.