Cranberry, kran′ber-i, n. a genus of small evergreen shrubs growing in peaty bogs and marshy grounds: the berry much used for tarts. [For crane-berry; a late word; origin obscure; cf. Ger. kranbeere or kranich-beere.]
Cranch. Same as Craunch.
Crane, krān, n. a large wading bird, with long legs, neck, and bill: a bent pipe for drawing liquor out of a cask: a machine for raising heavy weights—both named from their likeness to the bird.—v.t. to raise with a crane.—v.i. to stretch out the neck: to pull up before a jump.—ns. Cran′age, the use of a crane: the price paid for the use of it; Crane′-fly, a genus of dipterous insects, nearly allied to the gnats, with very long legs.—adj. Crane′-necked.—n. Crane's′-bill, the Geranium, from a lengthened appendage of the seed-vessel. [A.S. cran; Ger. kranich, W. garan.]
Crane. Same as Cranium.
Cranium, krā′ni-um, n. the skull: the bones enclosing the brain.—adj. Crā′nial, pertaining to the cranium.—n. Craniog′nomy, cranial physiognomy.—adj. Craniolog′ical.—ns. Craniol′ogist, one skilled in craniology; Craniol′ogy, the study of skulls: phrenology; Craniom′eter, an instrument for measuring the skull; Craniom′etry, the measurement of skulls; Craninos′copist, a phrenologist; Cranios′copy, phrenology; Craniot′omy (obstetrics), the act of breaking down the head of the fœtus. [Low L. cranium—Gr. kranion, from karē, the head.]
Crank, krangk, n. a crook or bend: a conceit in speech: a whim: (mach.) a lever or arm on a shaft, driven by hand or by a connecting-rod, its object being to convert reciprocating motion into rotary motion.—v.i. to move in a zizag manner.—v.t. to shape like a crank: to provide with a crank.—adj. crooked: crabbed: loose or slack.—adv. Crank′ily.—n. Crank′iness.—adj. Crank′y, crooked: infirm: full of whims: cross. [M. E. kranke—A.S. crincan, to yield; cf. Ger. krank.]
Crank, krangk, adj. brisk: merry. [Origin unknown.]
Crank, krangk, Crank-sided, krangk-sī′ded, adj. (naut.) liable to be upset—n. Crank′ness, liability to be upset. [Ety. uncertain.]
Crankle, krangk′l, Crinkle, kringk′l, n. a turn, winding, or wrinkle, an angular protuberance.—v.t. to bend: to twist.
Crannog, kran′og, n. the name given in Scotland and Ireland to a fortified island (partly natural and partly artificial) in a lake, once used as a dwelling-place and place of refuge. [Gael. crann, a tree.]