~ 1
■ verb
1》 turn a ~shaft or handle, especially in order to start an engine.
2》 ( ~ something up ) informal increase the intensity of something.
3》 ( ~ something out ) informal, derogatory produce something regularly and routinely.
4》 give a bend to (a shaft or bar).
■ noun a part of an axle or shaft bent out at right angles, for converting reciprocal to circular motion and vice versa.
Origin
OE cranc , related to crincan (see cringe ).
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 a person with eccentric or obsessive views.
↘ N. Amer. a bad-tempered person.
2》 literary a fanciful turn of speech.
Origin
back-form. from ~y ; sense 2 is perh. from a base meaning 'bent together, curled up', shared by ~ 1 .
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~ 3
■ adjective Nautical, archaic (of a sailing ship) liable to heel over.
Origin
C17: perh. from dialect ~ 'weak, shaky'.