crab
crab Lexical Profile
crab Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A decapod crustacean of the infraorder Brachyura (or a similar related marine or freshwater species), characterized by a broad, flattened carapace, a short abdomen tucked beneath the body, five pairs of legs with the front pair modified into pincers, and a sideways walking gait.
"A small shore crab scuttled sideways across the wet sand and disappeared beneath a rock."
The delicate, flaky, savory flesh of this marine crustacean, harvested and prepared as seafood.
"The coastal restaurant is famous for serving fresh steamed crab with melted butter and lemon."
An irritable, ill-tempered, or habitually complaining person.
"He turns into an absolute crab whenever his morning routine is interrupted."
The small, hard, sharply sour fruit produced by wild or ornamental species of apple trees in the genus Malus (commonly called a crab apple), often used to make jellies, preserves, and cider.
"In autumn, the wild hedgerows were heavy with tart golden crabs suitable for making spiced jelly."
• verb
To fish for, trap, or gather crabs from coastal waters, estuaries, or tidal flats.
"We spent Saturday morning crabbing off the wooden pier with baited drop nets."
To complain, grumble, or find fault in a peevish or irritable manner (informal).
"The commuters were crabbing about the delayed train and the lack of air conditioning."
To move sideways or obliquely, or to steer an aircraft or vessel slightly into a crosswind or current to maintain a straight desired course.
"The pilot had to crab the small plane into the strong crosswind during the final approach to the runway."
• Rhymes for crab
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'crabba', a common Germanic root shared with Dutch 'krab' and German 'Krabbe', ultimately related to a root meaning 'to scratch' or 'to claw' in reference to the animal's pincers. The sense referring to a sour, wild apple or an ill-tempered person developed in Middle English, likely influenced by the harshness of wild crab apples and the sideways, defensive behavior of the crustacean.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.