CRAB


Meaning of CRAB in English

~ 1

■ noun

1》 a crustacean, found chiefly on seashores, with a broad carapace, stalked eyes, and five pairs of legs, the first of which are modified as pincers. [Order Decapoda: many species.]

2》 ( ~s ) informal an infestation of ~ lice.

3》 a machine with pincer-like arms for picking up heavy weights.

■ verb

1》 move sideways or obliquely.

2》 fish for ~s.

Phrases

catch a ~ Rowing make a faulty stroke.

Derivatives

~ber noun

~like adjective & adverb

Origin

OE ~ba , of Gmc origin.

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~ 2

■ verb ( ~s , ~bing , ~bed ) informal grumble.

Origin

C16 (referring to hawks, meaning 'claw or fight each other'): from Low Ger. krabben ; related to ~ 1 .

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.