1. n.1 a any of numerous ten-footed crustaceans having the first pair of legs modified as pincers. b the flesh of a crab, esp. Cancer pagurus, as food.
2 (the Crab) the zodiacal sign or constellation Cancer.
3 (in full crab-louse) (often in pl.) a parasitic louse, Phthirus pubis, infesting hairy parts of the body and causing extreme irritation.
4 a machine for hoisting heavy weights.
Phrases and idioms:
catch a crab Rowing effect a faulty stroke in which the oar is jammed under water or misses the water altogether. crab-grass US a creeping grass infesting lawns. crab-pot a wicker trap for crabs.
Derivatives:
crablike adj.
Etymology: OE crabba, rel. to ON krafla scratch 2. n.1 (in full crab-apple) a small sour apple-like fruit.
2 (in full crab tree or crab-apple tree) any of several trees bearing this fruit.
3 a sour person.
Etymology: ME, perh. alt. (after CRAB(1) or CRABBED) of earlier scrab, prob. of Scand. orig. 3. v. (crabbed, crabbing) colloq.
1. tr. & intr. criticize adversely or captiously; grumble.
2 tr. act so as to spoil (the mistake crabbed his chances).
Etymology: orig. of hawks fighting, f. MLG krabben