Definitions for: Crane


[n] large long-necked wading bird of marshes and plains in many parts of the world
[n] lifts and moves heavy objects; lifting tackle is suspended from a pivoted boom that rotates around a vertical axis
[n] United States poet (1899-1932)
[n] United States writer (1871-1900)
[v] of the neck; so as to see better



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.


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.


crane, v. i.
to reach forward with head and neck, in order to see better;
as, a hunter cranes forward before taking a leap.
--Beaconsfield. Thackeray.

The passengers eagerly craning forward over the
bulwarks. --Howells.


Crane, n.
1. Any arm which swings about a vertical axis at one end,
used for supporting a suspended weight.

2. (Zo["o]l.) The American blue heron (Ardea herodias).
[Local, U. S.]

Synonyms: Harold Hart Crane, Hart Crane, Stephen Crane, stretch out

See Also: author, davit, derrick, extend, family Gruidae, Gruidae, Grus americana, lifting device, poet, stretch, transporter, wader, wading bird, whooper, whooping crane, writer

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