crank1

 
Pronunciation: /kraŋk/

verb

[with object]
  • 1turn the crankshaft of (an internal-combustion engine) in order to start the engine: the starter motor struggled to crank the engine move the pitch lever into the normal range and crank up the engine
  • turn (a handle) in order to start an engine: the generators roared into life when he cranked the handle
  • (crank something up) informal increase the intensity of something: the volume is cranked up a notch
  • (crank something out) informal, derogatory produce something regularly and routinely: an army of researchers cranked out worthy studies
  • 2 (usually as adjective cranked) give a bend to (a shaft, bar, etc.): paddle styles also vary—long, short, cranked, etc.
  • 3 [no object] informal inject a narcotic drug: he’s been cranking up on smack

noun

  • 1a part of an axle or shaft bent out at right angles, for converting reciprocal to circular motion and vice versa: a long con rod which acts as a longer lever on the crank
  • 2 [mass noun] informal the drug methamphetamine.

Origin:

Old English cranc (recorded in crancstæf, denoting a weaver's implement), related to crincan (see cringe)