crane

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Origin: Scot., fr. Gael. crann.

A measure for fresh herrings, — as many as will fill a barrel. Scottish Hugh Miller

Origin: AS. cran; akin to D. & LG. craan, G. kranich, krahn (this in sense 2), Gr. γέρανος, L. grus, W. & Armor. garan, OSlav. zeravĭ, Lith. gerve, Icel. trani, Sw. trana, Dan. trane. √24. Cf. Geranium.

1. Zoology A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck.

☞ The common European crane is Grus cinerea. The sand-hill crane (Grus Mexicana) and the whooping crane (Grus Americana) are large American species. The Balearic or crowned crane is Balearica pavonina. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to the herons and cormorants.

2. Any arm which swings about a vertical axis at one end, used for supporting a suspended weight.

3. A machine for raising and lowering heavy weights, and, while holding them suspended, transporting them through a limited lateral distance. In one form it consists of a projecting arm or jib of timber or iron, a rotating post or base, and the necessary tackle, windlass, etc.; — so called from a fancied similarity between its arm and the neck of a crane See Illust. of Derrick.

4. An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire.

5. A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.

6. Nautical A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., — generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2.

7. Zoology The American blue heron (Ardea herodias). regional (US)

Crane fly Zoology, a dipterous insect with long legs, of the genus Tipula. — Derrick crane. See Derrick. — Gigantic crane. Zoology See Adjutant, noun, 3. — Traveling crane, Traveler crane, Traversing crane Machinery, a crane mounted on wheels; esp., an overhead crane consisting of a crab or other hoisting apparatus traveling on rails or beams fixed overhead, as in a machine shop or foundry. — Water crane, a kind of hydrant with a long swinging spout, for filling locomotive tenders, water carts, etc., with water.

1. To cause to rise; to raise or lift, as by a crane; — with up. rare

What engines, what instruments are used in craning up a soul, sunk below the center, to the highest heavens.— Bates. William

An upstart craned up to the height he has.— Philip Massinger

2. To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane the neck disdainfully. pseud. of Mary Ann

to reach forward with head and neck, in order to see better; as, a hunter cranes forward before taking a leap. Beaconsfield. Thackeray.

The passengers eagerly craning forward over the bulwarks.— Howells.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: 1913 supplement