schrank

See also: Schrank

English

Noun

schrank (plural schranks)

1. Alternative form of shrank.
   • 1988 February, Phyllis Schultz, “Notice of Loss or Damage”, in David R. Getz, editor, The Army Lawyer (Department of the Army Pamphlet 27–50–182), Charlottesville, Va.: The Judge Advocate General’s School, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 65:

     Because carrier liability for most shipments other than domestic (in CONUS) moves is predicated on the agreed item weight found in the Joint Military-Industry Table of Weights, it is critical that items noted on the claim be correctly named. If an item is a schrank, list it as such. Some claimants mistakenly list a schrank as a wall unit, which carries much lower liability.

   • 1988 June, Charles Bricker, “American Heritage in Ohio: Distinguished Collection for a Historic Farmhouse”, in Architectural Digest: The International Magazine of Fine Interior Design, Los Angeles, Calif.: Architectural Digest Publishing Corp., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 104, column 3:

     When the house was restored, two baths were added, 1930s style. They are straightforward and compact, and although the fixtures were updated in the 1970s, space is still at a premium. Nor is there a plenitude of closets. “In the master bedroom we’ve got a schrank,” the husband says, “a kind of wardrobe found in Pennsylvania Dutch households. Aside from that, there’s a very significant lack of storage space.”

   • 1989, Ramona Henderson, “Queries”, in Americana, volume 17, New York, N.Y.: Americana Magazine, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 67, column 3:

     I have a seven-foot-tall, fifty-four-inch-wide walnut piece that I believe is a linen press or a schrank (what is the difference?) Its two doors and two drawers open to the front.

   • 1990, Pennsylvania Folklife, volumes 40–42, Lancaster, Pa.: Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 82:

     Less than six feet high, this softwood schrank was made in Switzerland in 1779. […] Fifty years ago it was very difficult to get a starting bid on a schrank at a public auction; no one wanted one and they seemed worthless. When I found a schrank at an antiques shop in Lititz, Pennsylvania, then, the dealer at first refused to put a price on it, for he planned to cut it up to repair antique walnut furniture.

   • 1995, Henry J. Kauffman, “Pennsylvania-German Schranks”, in Henry’s Dutch Country Anthology, Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, →ISBN, pages 129–130:

     Schranks have become very “hot” items in recent years. In fact, a New England dealer is importing them from Germany today, and running big advertisements. I would think she would do better in Pennsylvania, but she seems to be doing all right. Pronounced “shrunks,” these wardrobes were not clothespresses, which have several rows of drawers in the bottom and an area large enough to hang a shirt, but not a coat. […] Most of the schranks made in Pennsylvania, 1750-1800, were made of walnut.

   • 1997, Mary Lou Weaver Houser with Carolyn Ehst Groff, A Weaver’s Source Book: Uphome with Jonas and Emma, [Lancaster, Pa.]: M.L.W. Houser, →ISBN, pages 34–35:

     Across the field from the other Lampeter tract Weaver dwellings, this house contains pre-Revolutionary War doors and a schrank from an earlier dwelling in its annex (left end of house). […] A later annex to the 1810 house used three doors with tapered and dove-tailed battens fastened with blacksmith nails and a schrank featuring rattail hinges from a pre-Revolutionary War dwelling.

   • 2006, Sotheby’s, Haute Epoque: Important Early Furniture and Tapestries, London, Tuesday 31 October 2006, London: Sotheby’s, →OCLC, page 20:

     This monumental schrank intricately carved with tracery panels and with a crenellated cresting brings to mind the turrets of a castle and represents the apogee of German Gothic cabinet-making. […] This type of tracery together with cross-hatched drawers and crenellated cresting can also be seen on a schrank described as Austrian, mid 15^th century, in the Ludwig Collection, Aachen, Germany, illustrated by Kreisel, op. cit. fig. 120, reproduced in fig. 1.

   • 2013, Tracie Peterson, The Icecutter’s Daughter (Land of Shining Water; 1), Large Print edition, Bloomington, Minn.: Bethany House, →ISBN, pages 216 and 377–378:

     “What is this, a wardrobe?” / “Similar. It’s called a schrank. It’s usually something I would have made for her years ago so she could save things for her own household. It’s an old German custom. These are built quite large and can therefore be used for daily purpose, too. Clothes can be hung up, and the drawers and shelves are good for storage.” […] Merrill opened her eyes and stared in wonder at the piece of furniture before her. Her father stepped closer. “It’s a schrank. I promised your mother I’d have one made for you. […]”

   • 2017, Sheila Roberts, Christmas in Icicle Falls (Life in Icicle Falls; 11), Toronto, Ont.: MIRA Books, →ISBN, page 17:

     “Where’s the closet?” / Olivia had pointed to the antique German pine armoire and said, “This is it. It’s a schrank.” / “A what?” / “For your clothes.”

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch schranke, from Middle High German schranc. Related to German Schrank, English shrank (“cabinet”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sxrɑŋk/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: schrank
• Rhymes: -ɑŋk

Noun

schrank f (plural schranken)

1. trestle, sawbuck, sawhorse
   • 1837, Jan David Pasteur, Handboek voor den ingenieur, page 339:

     Tegen de twee voorbeenen dezer schrank worden twee sparren, leiders genaamd, […]

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Further reading

• [1]