crank¹ ◙ verb, [with obj.] 1. turn the crankshaft of (an internal-combustion engine), typically in order to start the engine • （多为发动机器）转动（内燃机的）曲轴 turn (a handle), typically in order to start an engine • 转动（柄）（多为发动机器） (crank something up)[informal] increase the intensity of something • [非正式] 增加…的强度 »the volume is cranked up a notch. 音量提高了一度。 (crank something out)(informal, derogatory)produce something regularly and routinely • [非正式，贬] （机械而有规律地）生产；制造 »an army of researchers cranked out worthy studies. 一大批研究员写出有价值的论文。 2. [usu. as adj. cranked] give a bend to (a shaft, bar, etc.) • 弯曲（轴、棒等） 3. [no obj.] [informal] inject a narcotic drug • [非正式] 注射（毒品） »he's been cranking up on smack. 他一直注射海洛因。 ◙ noun 1. a part of an axle or shaft bent out at right angles, for converting reciprocal to circular motion and vice versa • 曲柄；曲轴
【语源】
1. Old English cranc (recorded in crancstæf, denoting a weaver's implement), related to crincan (seecringe)crank² ◙ noun 1. an eccentric person, especially one who is obsessed by a particular subject or theory • （尤指对某学科或理论着迷的）怪人 [N. Amer.] a bad-tempered person. cranky • [北美] 脾气坏的人；脾气暴躁的人 2. (poetic/literary)a fanciful turn of speech. (seecrank) • [诗／文] 妙语crank³ ◙ adjective 1. [Nautical, archaic] (of a sailing ship) liable to heel over • [航海古] （航船）易倾覆的
【语源】
1. early 17th cent.: perhaps from dialect crank 'weak, shaky' (compare with cranky or crank)