Cranny

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -æni

From Middle English crany, crani ("cranny"), apparently a diminutive of Middle English *cran (+ -y), from Old French cran, cren ("notch, fissure"), a derivative of Old French crener ("to notch, split"), from Medieval Latin crenō ("split", verb.), from Vulgar Latin *crinō ("split, break", verb.), of obscure origin. Despite a spurious use in Pliny, connection to Latin crēna is doubtful. Instead, probably of or origin. Compare Old High German chrinna ("notch, groove, crevice"), Alemannic German Krinne ("small crack, channel, groove"), Low German karn ("notch, groove, crevice, cranny"), Old Irish ara-chrinin ("to perish, decay").

Full definition of cranny

Noun

1. A small, narrow opening, fissure, crevice, or chink, as in a wall, or other substance.
• ArbuthnotHe peeped into every cranny.
• DrydenIn a firm building, the cavities ought not to be filled with rubbish, but with brick or stone fitted to the crannies.
2. A tool for forming the necks of bottles, etc.

Related terms

• any nook or cranny, every nook and cranny, nook and cranny, nook or cranny

Verb

1. (intransitive) To break into, or become full of, crannies.
• GoldingThe ground did cranny everywhere.
2. (intransitive) To haunt or enter by crannies.
• ByronAll tenantless, save to the crannying wind.

Perhaps for cranky.

Adjective

1. (UK, dialect) quick; giddy; thoughtless