crab

noun (1), often attributive

\ ˈkrab

Definition of crab

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 plural crabs also crab : any of numerous chiefly marine broadly built decapod crustaceans:

a : any of an infraorder (Brachyura) with a short broad usually flattened carapace, a small abdomen that curls forward beneath the body, short antennae, and the anterior pair of limbs modified as grasping pincers

b : any of various crustaceans of an infraorder (Anomura) resembling true crabs in the more or less reduced condition of the abdomen

2 capitalized : cancer sense 1

3 crabs plural : infestation with crab lice

4 : the angular difference between an aircraft's course and the heading necessary to make that course in the presence of a crosswind

crab

verb (1)

crabbed; crabbing

Definition of crab (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

1 : to fish for crabs

2a(1) : to move sideways indirectly or diagonally

(2) : to crab an airplane

b : to scuttle or scurry sideways

transitive verb

1 : to cause to move sideways or in an indirect or diagonal manner specifically : to head (an airplane) into a crosswind to counteract drift

2 : to subject to crabbing

crab

noun (2)

Definition of crab (Entry 3 of 5)

: crab apple

crab

noun (3)

Definition of crab (Entry 4 of 5)

: an ill-tempered person : grouch

crab

verb (2)

crabbed; crabbing

Definition of crab (Entry 5 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to make sullen : sour old age has crabbed his nature

2 : to complain about peevishly

3 : spoil, ruin

intransitive verb

: carp, grouse always crabs about the weather

First Known Use of crab

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1657, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1580, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1662, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for crab

Noun (1)

Middle English crabbe, from Old English crabba; akin to Old High German krebiz crab and perhaps to Old English ceorfan to carve — more at carve

Noun (2)

Middle English crabbe, perhaps from crabbe crab entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English crabben, probably back-formation from crabbed

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More Definitions for crab

crab

noun

\ ˈkrab

Kids Definition of crab

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a sea animal that is a crustacean related to the lobsters and has a short broad flat shell and a front pair of legs with small claws

crab

noun

Kids Definition of crab (Entry 2 of 3)

: a person who is usually grouchy

crab

verb

crabbed; crabbing

Kids Definition of crab (Entry 3 of 3)

: complain

crab

noun

\ ˈkrab

Medical Definition of crab

1 : any of a tribe (Brachyura) of chiefly marine crustaceans with a short broad usually flattened carapace, a small abdomen that curls forward beneath the body, short antennae, and the anterior pair of limbs modified as grasping pincers

2 crabs plural : infestation with pubic lice

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crab

Definition of crab

Other Words from crab

First Known Use of crab

History and Etymology for crab

Kids Definition of crab

Medical Definition of crab

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