crane

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a tall machine with a projecting arm, used to lift and move heavy objects

   A tower crane lifted the steel beam onto the roof.

2. 2
   noun

   a large, long-legged and long-necked bird of the family Gruidae

   A crane stood motionless in the marsh before taking flight.

3. 3
   verb

   to stretch one's neck or body in order to see something

   The children craned their necks to watch the parade.

From Middle English crane and Old English cran, from a Proto-Germanic name for the long-necked bird, probably imitative of its hoarse cry. The lifting machine was named for its resemblance to the bird's long neck and bill; the verb likewise evokes extending the neck.

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