CRANK

I. noun see: cringe Date: 13th century a bent part of an axle or shaft or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft by which circular motion is imparted to or received from the shaft or by which reciprocating motion is changed into circular motion or vice versa, 2. bend , a twist or turn of speech ; conceit , c. caprice , crotchet , an annoyingly eccentric person, a bad-tempered person ; grouch , crystal 7, ~ish adjective II. verb Date: 1592 intransitive verb to move with a winding course ; zigzag , 2. to turn a ~, to get started by or as if by the turning of a ~, to gain speed, momentum, or intensity, transitive verb to move or operate by or as if by a ~ , 2. to cause to start (as an automobile), to rotate the shaft (as a ~shaft) of especially with a starter , to use in trying to start an engine , 3. to start as if by use of a ~, turn up 2, III. adjective Date: 1924 of, relating to, or being a ~y or eccentric person, IV. adjective Etymology: Middle English ~e Date: 15th century merry , high-spirited , cocky , confident , V. adjective Etymology: short for ~-sided easily tipped Date: circa 1649 easily tipped ; tender 7d