Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CRAN'BER-RY, n. [crane and berry.]

The fruit of a species of Oxycoccus, [sour berry,] a berry that grows on a slender, bending stalk. It is also called moss-berry, or moore-berry, as it grows only on peat-bogs, or swampy land. The berry when ripe is red, and of the size of a small cherry or of the hawthorn berry. These berries form a sauce of exquisite flavor, and are used for tarts. The cranberry of the United States is the O. macrocarpus, that of Europe is O. palustris. [The common pronunciation, cramberry, is erroneous.]

CRANCH, v.t.

See CRAUNCH.

CRANE, n. [Sax. cran; G. krahn; D. kraan; Sw. kran, or trana; Dan. krane, or trane; W. garan; Corn. krana; Arm. garan; Gr. γερανος, whence geranium, the plant, crane's-bill. The word in Welsh signifies a shank or shaft, a crane or heron. This fowl then may be named from its long legs. Qu. קרן, to shoot.]

1. A migratory fowl of the genus Ardea, belonging to the grallic order. The bill is straight, sharp and long, with a furrow from the nostrils toward the point; the nostrils are linear, and the feet have four toes. These fowls have long legs, and a long neck, being destined to wade and seek their food among grass and reeds in marshy grounds. The common crane is about four feet in length, of a slender body.
2. A machine for raising great weights, consisting of a horizontal arm, or piece of timber, projecting from a post, and furnished with a tackle or pulley.
3. A siphon, or crooked pipe for drawing liquors out of a cask.

CRANE'-FLY, n.

An insect of the genus Tipula, of many species. The mouth is a prolongation of the head; the upper jaw is arched; the palpi are two, curved and longer than the head; the proboscis is short. – Encyc.

CRANE'S'-BILL, n.

1. The plant geranium, of many species; so named from an appendage of the seed-vessel, which resembles the beak of a crane or stork. Some of the species have beautiful flowers and a fragrant scent, and several of them are valued for their astringent properties. [See Crane.] – Encyc.
2. A pair of pinchers used by surgeons.

CRAN-I-OG'NO-MY, n. [Gr. κρανιον, L. cranium, the skull, and Gr. γνωμων, index.]

The doctrine or science of determining the properties or characteristics of the mind by the conformation of the skull. – Good.

CRAN-I-O-LOG'IC-AL, a.

Pertaining to craniology.

CRAN-I-OL'O-GIST, n.

One who treats of craniology, or one who is versed in the science of the cranium.

CRAN-I-OL'O-GY, n. [Gr. κρανιον, the skull, and λογος, discourse.]

A discourse or treatise on the cranium or skull; or the science which investigates the structure and uses of the skulls of various animals, particularly in relation to their specific character and intellectual powers. – Ed. Encyc.

CRAN-I-OM'E-TER, n. [Gr. κρανιον, the skull, and μετρον, measure.]

An instrument for measuring the skulls of animals.

CRAN-I-O-MET'RIC-AL, a.

Pertaining to craniometry.

CRAN-I-OM'E-TRY, n.

The art of measuring the cranium, or skulls, of animals; for discovering their specific differences.

CRAN-I-OS'CO-PY, n. [Gr. κρανιον, supra, and σκοπεω, to view.]

The science of the eminences produced in the cranium by the brain, intended to discover the particular part of the brain, in which reside the organs which influence particular passions or faculties. – Ed. Encyc.

CRA'NI-UM, n. [L. from Gr. κρανιον.]

The skull of an animal; the assemblage of bones which inclose the brain.

CRANK, a. [D. krank; G. id., weak; Sw. kräncka, to afflict; Dan. krænker, id., or krænger, to careen a ship.]

1. In seamen's language, liable to be overset, as a ship when she is too narrow, or has not sufficient ballast to carry full sail.
2. Stout; bold; erect; as, a cock crowing crank. – Spenser.

CRANK, n. [This word probably belongs to the root of cringe, krinkle, to bend. D. krinkel, a curl; kronkel, a bend or winding; and krank, weak, is probably from bending; Ir. freanc, to make crooked. Qu כרע, or the root of crook.]

1. Literally, a bend or turn. Hence, an iron axis with the end bent like an elbow, for moving a piston, the saw in a saw-mill, &c., and causing it to rise and fall at every turn.
2. Any bend, turn or winding. – Shak.
3. A twisting or turning in speech; a conceit which consists in a change of the form or meaning of a word. Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles. – Milton.
4. An iron brace for various purposes. – Mar. Dict.

CRANK, or CRANK'LE, v.i. [See Crank, n., and Crinkle.]

To run in a winding course; to bend, wind and turn. See how this river comes me crankling in. – Shak.

CRANK'LE, n.

A bend or turn; a crinkle.

CRANK'LE, v.t.

To break into bends, turns or angles; to crinkle. Old Vaga's stream … / Crankling her banks. – Philips.

CRANK'LED, pp.

Broken into unequal surfaces.

CRAN'KLES, n. [plur.]

Angular prominences.

CRANK'LING, ppr.

Breaking into bends, turns or angles.

CRANK'NESS, n.

1. Liability to be overset, as a ship.
2. Stoutness; erectness.

CRANK'Y, a.

See CRANK, a.

CRAN'NI-ED, a. [See Cranny.]

Having rents, chinks or fissures; as, a crannied wall. – Brown. Shak.