Definition of "crane" []

• Any of various large wading birds of the family Gruidae, having a long neck, long legs, and a long bill. (noun)
• A similar bird, such as a heron. (noun)
• A machine for hoisting and moving heavy objects by means of cables attached to a movable boom. (noun)
• Any of various devices with a swinging arm, as in a fireplace for suspending a pot. (noun)
• To hoist or move with or as if with a crane. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Thus, to return, in that little anecdote relative to the Conqueror and William Fitz-Osbern, mentioned above, not the crane, but _the flesh of the crane_ is said to have been under-roasted."
• "Closest crane is approximately 100 -150 feet South and East of the helipad."
• "It appears that the days of launching boats from the island to race out to shark attacks are overthe east landing crane is now closed to this kind of activity."