Crane Definition

krān
craned, cranes, craning
noun
cranes
Any of a family (Gruidae) of usually large gruiform wading birds with very long legs and neck, and a long, straight bill.
Webster's New World
Any of various unrelated birds, as herons and storks.
Webster's New World
Any of various machines for lifting or moving heavy weights by means of a movable projecting arm or a horizontal beam traveling on an overhead support.
Webster's New World
Any device with a swinging arm fixed on a vertical axis.
A fireplace crane is used for holding a kettle.
Webster's New World

A mechanical lifting device, often used for lifting heavy loads for industrial or construction purposes.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
verb
craned, cranes, craning
To raise or move with a crane.
Webster's New World
To stretch (the neck) as a crane does, as in straining to see over something.
Webster's New World
To stretch one's neck toward something for a better view.
American Heritage
To be irresolute; hesitate.
American Heritage
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Crane

Noun

Singular:
crane
Plural:
cranes

Origin of Crane

  • From Old English cran, from Proto-Germanic *kran-, from Proto-Indo-European *gerh₂- (“to cry hoarsely”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old English cran gerə-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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