Crane

(Isa. 38:14; Jer. 8:7). In both of these passages the Authorized Version has reversed the Hebrew order of the words. “Crane or swallow” should be “swallow or crane,” as in the Revised Version. The rendering is there correct. The Hebrew for crane is ’agur, the Grus cincerea, a bird well known in Palestine. It is migratory, and is distinguished by its loud voice, its cry being hoarse and melancholy.

The crane (Grus cinerea) is a native of Europe and Asia. It stand about four feet high. Its color is ashen gray, with face and neck nearly black. It feeds on seeds, roots, insects and small quadrupeds. It retires in winter to the warmer climates. (Jeremiah 8:7)

CRANE, next to the ostrich, the largest bird found in the Holy Land, measuring 4 feet in height and 7 feet from tip to tip of its extended wings. The crane (Grus cinerea) feeds upon frogs, fish, worms, insects, and sometimes vegetable substances. When upon the wing it is always noisy, and its cry is hoarse and melancholy; hence the allusion of Isa 38:14. These birds return in the spring with great regularity from their migrations, and flocks of thousands pass over Palestine. Jer 8:7.

CRANE, next to the ostrich, the largest bird found in the Holy Land, measuring 4 feet in height and 7 feet from tip to tip of its extended wings. The crane (Grus cinerea) feeds upon frogs, fish, worms, insects, and sometimes vegetable substances. When upon the wing it is always noisy, and its cry is hoarse and melancholy; hence the allusion of Isa 38:14. These birds return in the spring with great regularity from their migrations, and flocks of thousands pass over Palestine. Jer 8:7.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck.

2. A machine for raising and lowering heavy weights, and, while holding them suspended, transporting them through a limited lateral distance. In one form it consists of a projecting arm or jib of timber or iron, a rotating post or base, and the necessary tackle, windlass, etc.; -- so called from a fancied similarity between its arm and the neck of a crane See Illust. Of Derrick.

3. An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire.

4. A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.

5. A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2. Crane fly (Zoöl.), a dipterous insect with long legs, of the genus Tipula. -- Derrick crane. See Derrick. -- Gigantic crane. (Zoöl.) See Adjutant, n., 3. -- Traveling crane, Traveler crane, Traversing crane (Mach.), a crane mounted on wheels; esp., an overhead crane consisting of a crab or other hoisting apparatus traveling on rails or beams fixed overhead, as in a machine shop or foundry. -- Water crane, a kind of hydrant with a long swinging spout, for filling locomotive tenders, water carts, etc., with water.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To cause to rise; to raise or lift, as by a crane; -- with up. [R.] What engines, what instruments are used in craning up a soul, sunk below the center, to the highest heavens. Bates. An upstart craned up to the height he has. Massinger.

2. To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane the neck disdainfully. G. Eliot.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

to reach forward with head and neck, in order to see better; as, a hunter cranes forward before taking a leap. Beaconsfield. Thackeray. The passengers eagerly craning forward over the bulwarks. Howells.