Craniognomy
(Cra`ni*og"no*my) n. [Cranium + Gr. . to know.] The science of the form and characteristics
of the skull. [R.]
Craniological
(Cra`ni*o*log"ic*al) a. Of or pertaining to craniology.
Craniologist
(Cra`ni*ol"o*gist) n. One proficient in craniology; a phrenologist.
Craniology
(Cra`ni*ol"o*gy) n. [Cranium + -logy.] The department of science (as of ethnology or archæology)
which deals with the shape, size, proportions, indications, etc., of skulls; the study of skulls.
Craniometer
(Cra`ni*om"e*ter) n. [Cranium + -meter.] An instrument for measuring the size of skulls.
Craniometric
(Cra`ni*o*met"ric) Craniometrical
(Cra`ni*o*met"ric*al) a. Pertaining to craniometry.
Craniometry
(Cra`ni*om"e*try) n. The art or act of measuring skulls.
Cranioscopist
(Cra`ni*os"co*pist) n. One skilled in, or who practices, cranioscopy.
It was found of equal dimension in a literary man whose skull puzzied the cranioscopists.
Coleridge.
Cranioscopy
(Cra`ni*os"co*py) n. [Cranium + -scopy.] Scientific examination of the cranium.
Craniota
(||Cra`ni*o"ta) n. pl. [NL., fr. cranium.] (Zoöl.) A comprehensive division of the Vertebrata,
including all those that have a skull.
Craniotomy
(Cra`ni*ot"o*my) n. [Cranium + Gr. to cut off.] (Med.) The operation of opening the fetal
head, in order to effect delivery.
Cranium
(Cra"ni*um) n.; pl. E. Craniums L. Crania [NL., fr. Gr. akin to ka`ra head.] The skull of
an animal; especially, that part of the skull, either cartilaginous or bony, which immediately incloses the
brain; the brain case or brainpan. See Skull.
Crank
(Crank) n. [OE. cranke; akin to E. cringe, cringle, crinkle, and to crank, a., the root meaning,
probably, "to turn, twist." See Cringe.]
1. (Mach.) A bent portion of an axle, or shaft, or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft, by
which motion is imparted to or received from it; also used to change circular into reciprocating motion, or
reciprocating into circular motion. See Bell crank.
2. Any bend, turn, or winding, as of a passage.
So many turning cranks these have, so many crooks.
Spenser.
3. A twist or turn in speech; a conceit consisting in a change of the form or meaning of a word.
Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles.
Milton.
4. A twist or turn of the mind; caprice; whim; crotchet; also, a fit of temper or passion. [Prov. Eng.]
Violent of temper; subject to sudden cranks.
Carlyle.
5. A person full of crotchets; one given to fantastic or impracticable projects; one whose judgment is perverted
in respect to a particular matter. [Colloq.]
6. A sick person; an invalid. [Obs.]
Thou art a counterfeit crank, a cheater.
Burton.
