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crab1 definition

crab (krab)

noun

  1. any of various decapods with four pairs of legs, one pair of pincers, a flattish shell, and a short, broad abdomen folded under its thorax
  2. any of other similar arthropods, as the horseshoe crab
  3. the edible part of a crab
    1. crab louse
    2. Informal infestation by crab lice: often with the
  5. any of various machines for hoisting heavy weights
  6. Aeron. the apparent sideways motion of an aircraft with respect to the ground when headed into a crosswind

Etymology: ME crabbe < OE crabba < IE base *grebh-, *gerebh-, to scratch: see graphic

intransitive verb crabbed, crabbing crab′·bing

to fish for crabs; catch crabs

transitive verb

Aeron. to head (an aircraft) into a crosswind in order to counteract drift, thus causing apparent sideways motion with respect to the ground

Related Forms:

crab Idioms

catch a crab

Rowing to fail to clear the water on the recovery stroke accidentally, thereby unbalancing the boat or impeding its movement

the Crab

Cancer, the constellation and fourth sign of the zodiac
crab2 definition

crab (krab)

noun

  1. crab apple
  2. a person who has a sour temper or is always complaining

Etymology: ME crabbe, akin ? to Scot scrabbe, Swed dial. scrabba, wild apple

adjective

of a crab apple or the tree that it grows on

transitive verb crabbed, crabbing crab′·bing

  1. Obsolete
    1. to irritate; vex
    2. to sour; embitter
  2. Rare to find fault with; criticize

intransitive verb

Informal to complain peevishly; grumble

Related Forms:

crab Idioms

crab one's act (the deal, etc.)

☆
to ruin or frustrate one's scheme (the deal, etc.)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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