Emily Dickinson Lexicon

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.