I. ˈkrəch noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English crucche, from Old English crycc; akin to Old Saxon krukka crutch, Old High German krucka, Norwegian dialect krykkia crutch, Old High German kriochan to creep, Old Irish gruc wrinkle, Old English cradol cradle — more at cradle
1.
a. : a support to aid the disabled in walking made usually of a split staff long enough to reach to the armpit and fitted at the top with a curved crosspiece and another crosspiece at hand level
b. : any prop, support, or assisting device
2.
a. : the raised part at either end of a saddle
b.
(1) : the part of a saddletree that supports the pommel
(2) : a forked leg rest constituting the pommel of a sidesaddle
3. : the crotch of a human being or of an animal (as a sheep)
4. : something resembling a crutch in shape or use: as
a. : a support made by joining inclined timbers near the top
b. : the depending forked rod by which the pendulum of a clock is moved
c.
(1) : a breasthook at the stern of a ship
(2) : a forked or 2-legged support for a fore-and-aft boom when its sail is stowed
(3) : a forked stanchion to support any spar or rail when not in use
d. chiefly Britain : rowlock
e. : a bar with a crosspiece at the end used for stirring (as formerly in making soap)
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
transitive verb
1. : to support on or as if on crutches : prop up
2. : to stir or mix with or as if with a crutch ; specifically : to mix (soap) with other substances in a crutcher
3. : to clip (a sheep or wool from a sheep) so as to remove the urine-stained or daggy locks from around the crutch
intransitive verb
: to go on crutches