Crane
[kreɪn] or [kren]
Definition
(noun.) large long-necked wading bird of marshes and plains in many parts of the world.
(noun.) lifts and moves heavy objects; lifting tackle is suspended from a pivoted boom that rotates around a vertical axis.
(noun.) United States poet (1899-1932).
(noun.) United States writer (1871-1900).
(verb.) stretch (the neck) so as to see better; 'The women craned their necks to see the President drive by'.
Editor: Verna--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A measure for fresh herrings, -- as many as will fill a barrel.
(n.) A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck.
(n.) 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.
(n.) An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire.
(n.) A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.
(n.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2.
(v. t.) To cause to rise; to raise or lift, as by a crane; -- with up.
(v. t.) To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane the neck disdainfully.
(v. i.) to reach forward with head and neck, in order to see better; as, a hunter cranes forward before taking a leap.
Editor: Stanton
Definition
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.
Same as Cranium.
Checker: Newman
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of seeing a flight of cranes tending northward, indicates gloomy prospects for business. To a woman, it is significant of disappointment; but to see them flying southward, prognosticates a joyful meeting of absent friends, and that lovers will remain faithful. To see them fly to the ground, events of unusual moment are at hand.
Inputed by Lilly
Examples
- When the cranes or other apparatus to be worked thereby are in operation, water is passed from the cylinder through a small pipe which actuates the crane through hydraulic pressure. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- The heating furnace and oil tank are served by a sixty-ton traveling crane and forty-ton jib crane. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The episode of Nettie Crane's timely rescue from disease had been one of the most satisfying incidents of her connection with Gerty's charitable work. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- In illustration of this idea he invented a crane, which was erected on Newcastle quay in 1846; another was constructed on the Albert dock at Liverpool, and others at other places. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The tribes are represented by their totems, martens, bear, manfish, and catfish, led by the crane. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- A relatively simple complex machine called the crane (Fig. 116) maybe seen almost any day on the street, or wherever heavy weights are being lifted. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- When the cranes or other apparatus to be worked thereby are in operation, water is passed from the cylinder through a small pipe which actuates the crane through hydraulic pressure. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- These cranes, adapted for the lifting and carrying of enormous loads, were worked by hydraulic pressure obtained from elevated tanks or reservoirs, as above indicated. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The press is served by two 200-ton cranes with hydraulic lift and pneumatic travel. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Giant cranes (215 feet long span). Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- These cranes facilitate the work of the tool construction department by carrying cumbersome parts of machinery to and from it for alterations and repairs. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- An interesting item in regard to these cranes is that the load can be moved in three directions at one time, this being accomplished by means of the small car hoist. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Overhead are traveling cranes which have a capacity of forty tons each. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- He threw out a gold coin for the valet to pick up, and all the heads craned forward that all the eyes might look down at it as it fell. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Then he approached it, and, standing on tiptoe with his neck craned, he looked into the room. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- In an instant Holmes had raced up on to the ridge, and, standing upon a lofty pinnacle, craned his neck in every direction. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
Checker: Wade