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Crane Very Common

Crane has 10 different meanings across 3 categories:

Noun · Verb · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

United States writer (1871-1900)

"The play was written by Eugene O'Neill, but some critics mistakenly attribute it to Crane because of their similar names."

2

United States poet (1899-1932)

"The American modernist poet Crane wrote influential works before his early death at sea in 1932."

3

a small constellation in the southern hemisphere near Phoenix

"The stargazer adjusted their telescope to locate the faint stars of Crane, the small constellation nestled just south of Phoenix."

4

lifts and moves heavy objects; lifting tackle is suspended from a pivoted boom that rotates around a vertical axis

"The construction crane lifted the steel beams by rotating its pivoted boom to move the heavy load across the site."

5

large long-necked wading bird of marshes and plains in many parts of the world

"The heron, often called a crane due to its size, stood tall among the reeds waiting to catch a fish."

6

Any bird of the family Gruidae, large birds with long legs and a long neck which is extended during flight.

"The surgeon examined the patient's cranial injuries after the fall."

7

The cranium.

In plain English: A crane is a large machine with a long arm used to lift and move heavy objects at construction sites.

"The construction crane lifted the heavy beam to the top floor."

Usage: Use this word to refer specifically to tall wading birds like herons or storks that have exceptionally long necks held straight out when flying. Do not use it for mechanical lifting devices unless the context clearly distinguishes between the animal and machinery.

Verb
1

stretch (the neck) so as to see better

"The women craned their necks to see the President drive by"

2

To extend (one's neck).

"She craned her neck to see over the crowd at the parade."

Proper Noun
1

A surname​.

"Several people named Crane attended the family reunion last weekend."

Example Sentences
"The construction crane lifted the heavy beam to the top floor." noun
"The construction worker stood on top of the crane to adjust the beam." noun
"We watched a flock of geese fly past our window before they stopped at the local crane pond." noun
"Her long neck reminded everyone present that she looked exactly like a white crane standing in the field." noun
See Also
bird stork ardea herodias sheerleg martin county jib industrial hoist
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
lifting device wading bird stretch
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
davit derrick transporter whooping crane

Origin

The word "crane" comes from Old English, where it originally referred to the large wading bird known for its long neck and legs. Mechanical lifting devices were later given this name because they resemble the way the bird stretches out its neck while feeding.

Rhyming Words
ane bane pane vane nane zane cane jane rane sane dane fane wane lane tane mane brane amane jeane ruane
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