Tip·u·la n.; pl. L. Tipulae E. Tipulas   Zool. Any one of many species of long-legged dipterous insects belonging to Tipula and allied genera. They have long and slender bodies. See Crane fly, under Crane.

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 Crane n.
 1. Zool. A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck.
 Note: ☞ The common European crane is Grus cinerea. The sand-hill crane (Grus Mexicana) and the whooping crane (Grus Americana) are large American species. The Balearic or crowned crane is Balearica pavonina. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to the herons and cormorants.
 2. Any arm which swings about a vertical axis at one end, used for supporting a suspended weight.
 3. 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.
 4. An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire.
 5. A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.
 6. Naut. A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2.
 7.  Zool. The American blue heron (Ardea herodias). [Local, U. S.]
 Crane fly Zool., a dipterous insect with long legs, of the genus Tipula.
 Derrick crane. See Derrick.
 Gigantic crane. Zool. 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.


 crane fly
      n : long-legged slender flies that resemble large mosquitoes but
          do not bite [syn: daddy longlegs]