crane (krān) n.
1 pl. cranes or crane
a) any of a family (Gruidae) of usually large gruiform wading birds with very long legs and neck, and a long, straight bill
b) popularly any of various unrelated birds, as herons and storks
2 any of various machines for lifting or moving heavy weights by means of a movable projecting arm or a horizontal beam traveling on an overhead support
3 any device with a swinging arm fixed on a vertical axis[a fireplace crane is used for holding a kettle]
–vt. vi. craned, cran'ing
1 to raise or move with a crane
2 to stretch (the neck) as a crane does, as in straining to see over something