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crank
When used to describe a person, the word carries a heavy scent of stubbornness and social isolation. It suggests someone who is not just eccentric, but actively argumentative about their peculiar theories, often to the annoyance of others. It is more derogatory than quirky and less clinical than delusional. In a mechanical or auditory sense, the word evokes a feeling of physical effort and sudden intensity. Whether it is the grinding noise of a metal handle or the blast of a loud stereo, the term implies a forceful, manual shift from a state of stillness or quiet to one of high activity.
Countable when referring to an eccentric person or a mechanical handle. Uncountable when referring to the act of turning a crank.
Meanings
A person with strange, obsessive ideas or eccentric beliefs.
"He is a bit of a crank who believes the moon is made of cheese."
A handle turned in a circular motion to operate a machine.
"The old car required a hand crank to start the engine."
To turn a handle or lever to apply pressure or start a mechanism.
"He had to crank the handle for five minutes to get the pump working."