Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1790-1818, 1894
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†CRANK, n.2
1. A snare. Cf. obs. Eng. crank, a crooked or deceitful way.Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 105:
As swift a jade as e'er streekt shanks . . . For her ye'll set nae traps nor cranks.
2. A wile.Dmf. 1894 R. Reid Poems 56:
Nae crank o' mortal skill This deidly weird could save.
3. A difficulty.Slk. 1818 Hogg Brownie of Bodsbeck, etc. II. 235:
Ay, there comes the crank! Nae man can tell that.
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"Crank n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/crank_n2>
