Crane \Crane\ (kr[=a]n), n. [AS. cran; akin to D. & LG. craan,
G. kranich, krahn (this in sense 2), Gr. ge`ranos, L. grus,
W. & Armor. garan, OSlav. zerav[i^], Lith. gerve, Icel.
trani, Sw. trana, Dan. trane. [root]24. Cf. Geranium.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied
genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill,
and long legs and neck.
Note: The common European crane is Grus cinerea. The
sand-hill crane (G. Mexicana) and the whooping crane
(G. 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. 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.
3. An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side
or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over
a fire.
4. A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.
5. (Naut.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support
spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2.
Crane fly (Zo["o]l.), a dipterous insect with long legs, of
the genus Tipula.
Derrick crane. See Derrick.
Gigantic crane. (Zo["o]l.) See Adjutant, n., 3.
Traveling crane, Traveler crane, Traversing crane
(Mach.), 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Crane \Crane\ (kr[=a]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Craned
(kr[=a]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Craning.]
1. To cause to rise; to raise or lift, as by a crane; -- with
up. [R.]
What engines, what instruments are used in craning
up a soul, sunk below the center, to the highest
heavens. --Bates.
An upstart craned up to the height he has.
--Massinger.
2. To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane
the neck disdainfully. --G. Eliot.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Crotch \Crotch\ (kr?ch; 224), n.; pl. Crotches (-?z). [Cf.
Crotchet, Crutch.]
1. The angle formed by the parting of two legs or branches; a
fork; the point where a trunk divides; as, the crotch of a
tree.
2. (Naut.) A stanchion or post of wood or iron, with two arms
for supporting a boom, spare yards, etc.; -- called also
crane and crutch. --Totten.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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