Sc. [A Scotch form of the word CRANE.]
† 1. Applied formerly to the crane and the heron. Obs. (See Jamieson Suppl.)
2. The ordinary name of the Swift in the south of Scotland.
1840. [Remembered in actual use].
1861. J. C. Atkinson, Brit. Birds’ Eggs, 69. Swift (Cypselus apus): Deviling, Black Martin, Screech … Cran.
1880. Berw. Nat. Club, 230. The Swift called ‘Cran.’
3. ‘An iron instrument, laid across the fire, reaching from the ribs of the grate to the hinder part of it, for the purpose of supporting a pot or kettle’ (Jamieson).
4. To coup the crans: fig. to have an upset, come to grief; see COUP v.3 2. (By Jamieson referred to sense 3; but perh. belonging to CRAN1.)
a. 1796. Burns, Answ. Poet. Epist., v. Garren lasses cowp the cran Clean heels owre body.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, xix. The trades … offered downright battle to the commons, rather than their kirk should coup the crans.
