The Collaborative International Dictionary
Crane \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.]
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(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 ( Grus Mexicana) and the whooping crane ( Grus Americana) are large American species. The Balearic or crowned crane is Balearica pavonina. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to the herons and cormorants.
Any arm which swings about a vertical axis at one end, used for supporting a suspended weight.
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.
An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire.
A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.
(Naut.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2.
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(Zo["o]l.) The American blue heron ( Ardea herodias).
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.