#1 crank s. [cranky, tender, tippy] (used of boats) inclined to heel over easily under sail. wn #2 crank n. [grouch, grump, churl, crosspatch] a bad-tempered person. wn #3 crank v. [zigzag] travel along a zigzag path; "The river zigzags through the countryside". wn #4 crank n. [crackpot, nut, nut case, fruitcake, screwball] a whimsically eccentric person. wn #5 crank v. [crank up] start by cranking; "crank up the engine". wn