■ noun
1》 a dry, rough protective crust that forms over a cut or wound during healing.
2》 mange or a similar skin disease in animals.
↘any of a number of fungal diseases of plants in which rough patches develop, especially on apples and potatoes.
3》 informal a person or thing regarded with contempt.
↘a person who refuses to strike or who takes the place of a striking worker.
■ verb ( ~s , ~bing , ~bed )
1》 [usu. as adjective ~bed ] become encrusted with a ~ or ~s.
2》 act or work as a ~.
↘ Brit. informal scrounge.
Derivatives
~biness noun
~by adjective
Origin
ME: from ON skabb ; related to dialect shab (cf. shabby ).