Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - crank

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English ~e, from Old English cranc- (as in crancst?f, a weaving instrument); probably akin to Middle High German krank weak, sick — more at cringe  Date: 13th century  1. a bent part of an axle or shaft or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft by which circular motion is imparted to or received from the shaft or by which reciprocating motion is changed into circular motion or vice versa  2.  a. archaic bend  b. a twist or turn of speech ; conceit — used especially in the phrase quips and ~s  c.  (1) caprice, crotchet  (2) an annoyingly eccentric person; also one who is overly enthusiastic about a particular subject or activity  d. a bad-tempered person ; grouch  3. crystal 7  • ~ish adjective  II. verb  Date: 1592  intransitive verb  1. to move with a winding course ; zigzag  2.  a. to turn a ~  b. to get started by or as if by the turning of a ~  c. to gain speed, momentum, or intensity — usually used with up the campaign is ~ing up  transitive verb  1. to move or operate by or as if by a ~ ~ the window down  2.  a. to cause to start (as an automobile)  b. to rotate the shaft (as a ~shaft) of especially with a starter ~ over an engine  c. to use in trying to start an engine ~ the starter  3.  a. to start as if by use of a ~ — usually used with up she ~ed up the air conditioner  b. turn up 2 — usually used with up ~ up the volume ~ up the stereo  III. adjective  Date: 1924 of, relating to, or being a ~y or eccentric person; also made or sent by such a person ~ calls a ~ letter  IV. adjective  Etymology: Middle English ~e  Date: 15th century  1. chiefly dialect merry, high-spirited  2. chiefly dialect cocky, confident  V. adjective  Etymology: short for ~-sided easily tipped  Date: circa 1649 of a boat easily tipped ; tender 7d