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Cranked Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cranked

[kræŋkt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

mechanical action

To crank means to turn or twist a handle or lever, often to start a machine or generate power. It is typically associated with older machinery or engines, where a physical effort is required to operate the device.

Synonyms

turn, twist, wind.

Examples of usage

  • He cranked the old engine for several minutes.
  • She cranked the window open to let in fresh air.
  • They cranked the handle to raise the flag.
  • He cranked out several tunes on the old organ.
Context #2 | Adjective

intense experience

Colloquially, cranked can describe something that is at a high intensity or extreme level. This usage often applies to emotions, situations, or actions that are amplified in some way.

Synonyms

amplified, heightened, intensified.

Examples of usage

  • The party was cranked up to a whole new level.
  • She was cranked about the concert this weekend.
  • His energy was cranked during the competition.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • The term 'cranked up' gained popularity in music, often used to describe high-energy songs or performances.
  • Hollywood films frequently showcase characters that are 'cranked' during adrenaline-fueled scenes, enhancing the excitement.
  • In the skateboarding subculture, being 'cranked' can indicate a level of enthusiasm during tricks or competitions.

Psychology

  • Feeling 'cranked' often correlates with increased dopamine levels, contributing to motivation and excitement.
  • The body's adrenaline response is activated when someone feels cranked, leading to heightened awareness and energy.
  • Social interactions can enhance feelings of being cranked, showing the influence of community and excitement.

Technology

  • In vintage films, 'cranking' often refers to starting a car engine before the advent of the electric starter mechanism.
  • The term is used in programming to describe optimizing performance or increasing the intensity of a process.
  • Cranked mechanisms, like those in film cameras, required physical effort, paralleling today's digital ease with a nostalgic twist.

Literature

  • Authors often use 'cranked' to illustrate characters in a heightened state, whether due to excitement or stress.
  • In various literature genres, characters described as cranked tend to engage in impulsive, high-energy activities.
  • The emotion of being cranked is frequently explored in poetry and prose as a metaphor for life's peaks and troughs.

Origin of 'cranked'

Main points about word origin

  • Originally, 'crank' referred to a handle used to turn machinery, dating back to the 14th century.
  • In the 19th century, 'cranked up' started being used in American slang to describe increasing energy or excitement.
  • The word has roots in Middle Dutch, specifically the word 'cranc,' meaning it twists or turns.

The term 'crank' has roots in Middle English, derived from the word 'cranke,' which means to twist or turn. This term is believed to originate from the Old Norse word 'krangr,' meaning 'a bend or curve.' The physical action of cranking, often associated with machinery, became popular during the Industrial Revolution as machines required manual operation. Over time, the word evolved to also take on colloquial uses, where it describes heightened emotional states or vigorous actions. This evolution illustrates how language can adapt to new contexts and cultural changes, giving new dimensions of meaning to a single word.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,856, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.