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DictionarycrankRotating handle
noun / verb

crank

KRANK/kræŋk/

A bent or offset handle that turns a mechanism, or operating a mechanism with it.

The hand turns the crank on the grinding wheel.

Close view of an adult hand turning a clearly bent metal crank handle attached to a traditional hand-operated bench grinding wheel.
Etymology

The handle sense preserves the old image of something bent or crooked: a bent handle turns a revolving axis. The early noun form is inferred from related words rather than directly attested.

In context

Hasgeek TV66:50
somebody is operating a crank which operates a electromagnet
Magic & Technology - Strange Bedfellows : HasGeek Open House #90

More examples

  • The crank turns a small gear.
  • She cranked the engine until it started.
  • The old machine was operated by a hand crank.

Forms

crank · cranks · cranked · cranking

Similar words

handle
A general part held to operate something.
lever
A bar used to move or lift something, not necessarily by turning.