crab

ˈkrab 1 syllable uncommon

  1. noun. any of numerous chiefly marine broadly built decapod crustaceans:

  2. noun. any of an infraorder (Brachyura) with a short broad usually flattened carapace, a small abdomen that curls forward beneath the body, short antennae, and the anterior pair of limbs modified as grasping pincers

  3. noun. any of various crustaceans of an infraorder (Anomura) resembling true crabs in the more or less reduced condition of the abdomen

  4. verb. to fish for crabs

  5. verb. to move sideways indirectly or diagonally

  6. verb. to crab an airplane

  7. noun. crab apple

  8. noun. an ill-tempered person: grouch

  9. verb. to make sullen: sour

    • old age has crabbed his nature
    • always crabs about the weather

  10. verb. to complain about peevishly

  11. verb. spoil, ruin

Source

Origin

Middle English crabbe, from Old English crabba; akin to Old High German krebiz crab and perhaps to Old English ceorfan to carve.

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2025