crane   (krān)    n.   Any of various large wading birds of the family Gruidae, having a long neck, long legs, and a long bill. A similar bird, such as a heron. A machine for hoisting and moving heavy objects by means of cables attached to a movable boom. Any of various devices with a swinging arm, as in a fireplace for suspending a pot. v.   craned, cran·ing, cranes v.   tr. To hoist or move with or as if with a crane. To strain and stretch (the neck, for example) in order to see better. v.   intr. To stretch one's neck toward something for a better view. To be irresolute; hesitate. [Middle English, from Old English cran; see gerə-2 in Indo-European roots.]

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.]

1. (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 (G. Mexicana) and the whooping crane (G. Americana) are large American species. The Balearic or crowned crane is Balearica pavonina. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to the herons and cormorants.

2. 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.

3. An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire.

4. A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.

5. (Naut.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2.

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.

crane 

Crane

(Isa. 38:14; Jer. 8:7). In both of these passages the Authorized Version has reversed the Hebrew order of the words. "Crane or swallow" should be "swallow or crane," as in the Revised Version. The rendering is there correct. The Hebrew for crane is _'agur_, the Grus cincerea, a bird well known in Palestine. It is migratory, and is distinguished by its loud voice, its cry being hoarse and melancholy.