I. ˈläbztə(r), -bst- noun
( -s ; see sense 1 )
Etymology: Middle English lopster, lobster, from Old English loppestre, from loppe, lobbe spider — more at lob
1. plural also lobster
a. : a large marine decapod crustacean of the family Homaridae commonly used for food ; especially : a member of the genus Homarus including the American lobster ( H. americanus ) and the European lobster ( H. vulgaris ) of the Atlantic coasts and the very small cape lobster ( H. capensis ) of southern Africa
b. : spiny lobster
c. Australia : the common freshwater crayfish
2. archaic
a. : a British soldier — called also boiled lobster
b. : a uniformed police officer — called also unboiled lobster
3. : a person regarded with contempt: as
a. archaic : a man unduly responsive to female wiles : one willing to pay for female company
b. : a stupid or awkward person : lummox , clown
4. : bittersweet 3b
[s]lobster.jpg[/s] [
lobster 1
]
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to fish for or catch lobsters