crabs
crabs Lexical Profile
crabs Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Plural form of crab; marine or freshwater decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, characterized by a broad flattened carapace, a short tucked-under abdomen, and five pairs of legs with the front pair modified into pincers.
"During low tide, the children spotted dozens of small crabs scurrying across the wet sand into the rock pools."
The edible meat or prepared dishes derived from these crustaceans, widely prized as seafood.
"The coastal restaurant is famous for serving steamed blue crabs seasoned with aromatic spices."
An informal, uncountable term for pediculosis pubis, an infestation of the body hair (especially in the pubic region) by parasitic crab lice (Pthirus pubis).
"The public health clinic provides confidential screening and medicated topical treatments for patients diagnosed with crabs."
Small, hard, and sharply tart wild apples (crabapples) produced by trees of the genus Malus, often used for making jellies and cider.
"In late autumn, we gathered a basket of wild crabs from the hedgerow to make spiced fruit jelly."
• verb
To fish for or catch crabs, typically using baited traps, pots, or hand lines (third-person singular present tense).
"Every summer weekend, he crabs along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline from his wooden skiff."
To move sideways or steer an aircraft or vessel at an angle into a crosswind to maintain the desired course over the ground (third-person singular present tense).
"The pilot skillfully crabs the small plane into the strong gusting crosswind just before touching down on the runway."
To complain, grumble, or find fault in a peevish or irritable manner (third-person singular present tense).
"He constantly crabs about the unpredictable morning traffic whenever he arrives late to the office."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as an uncountable singular noun in informal contexts ('to have crabs'), it specifically denotes an infestation of pubic lice (pediculosis pubis), whereas as a regular plural noun it refers to multiple crustacean animals or wild crabapples.
• Rhymes for crabs
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'crabba', related to Low German 'krabbe' and Dutch 'krab', derived from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to scratch or claw.