Reading Theme:
Crank: Definition, Usage & Common Examples Explained (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：an eccentric person (crank)
crank
/kræŋk/
n.
A person who has strange ideas or behaves in a way that seems odd or unreasonable.
an eccentric person
➕
/æn ɪˈsɛntrɪk ˈpɜrsən/
n.
A person who holds unusual, often strong and unorthodox opinions or behaves in a quirky, peculiar manner. They are often viewed as odd but harmless.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'cranc-' (to bend), referring to a bend or turn.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a person with a CRANKy, twisted (bent) idea, like a bent handle.
📖 Example
My old neighbor is a lovable crank who collects broken clocks and talks to his garden gnomes.
My old neighbor is a lovable eccentric who collects broken clocks and talks to his garden gnomes.
🔗 Collocations
lovable crank – An eccentric person who is endearing despite their quirks.
neighborhood crank – The locally known eccentric person in a community.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
conformist (n.) – A person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices.
🌱 Derivatives
cranky (adj.) – Eccentric or irritable.
📖 Cultural Story
Originates from Old English 'cranc-' meaning 'to bend or turn'. The sense 'eccentric person' arose in the 19th century, likely comparing their ideas to a machine's crank—off-center and producing irregular motion.
Meaning 2：a bent handle for turning (crank)
crank
/kræŋk/
n.
A simple machine part, a bent handle or arm that you turn to make something move in a straight line or to start an engine.
a bent handle for turning
➕
/ə bɛnt ˈhændəl fɔr ˈtɜrnɪŋ/
n.
A mechanical part, typically an L-shaped bent bar or handle, that converts circular motion into linear motion or vice versa, or is used to manually start an engine or machine.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
To start the old tractor, you had to insert a metal bar into the front and turn the crank by hand.
To start the old tractor, you had to insert a metal bar into the front and turn the bent handle by hand.
🔗 Collocations
crank handle – The part of the crank that is gripped to turn it.
turn the crank – To rotate the crank manually to operate a machine.
bicycle crank – The lever connecting a bicycle pedal to the chainwheel.
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
crankshaft (n.) – A shaft driven by a crank, especially in an engine.
Meaning 3：to turn forcefully or increase intensity (crank)
crank
/kræŋk/
n.
(Verb) To turn something quickly with force, or to make something increase in speed, volume, or intensity suddenly.
to turn forcefully or increase intensity
➕
/tu tɜrn ˈfɔrsfəli ɔr ˈɪnkrɪs ɪnˈtɛnsəti/
n.
As a verb, it means to turn a crank or handle with force, or to cause something like speed, volume, or effort to increase rapidly or to a high level.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
He had to crank the steering wheel hard to the left to avoid hitting the dog that ran into the road.
He had to turn the steering wheel forcefully to the left to avoid hitting the dog that ran into the road.
🔗 Collocations
crank up – To increase the level of something, like volume or effort.
crank out – To produce something rapidly and mechanically.
crank the engine – To start an engine by turning a crank.
🔄 Synonyms
twist (v.) – To turn something, especially repeatedly, around a central point.
ratchet up (v.) – To increase something in a series of stages.
🚫 Antonyms
decrease (v.) – To make or become smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree.
🌱 Derivatives
cranking (n.) – The action of turning a crank or increasing intensity.
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