crab
Pronunciation: (krab), [key]
— n., v., crabbed, crab•bing.
—n.
- any decapod crustacean of the suborder Brachyura, having the eyes on short stalks and a short, broad, more or less flattened body, the abdomen being small and folded under the thorax.
- any of various other crustaceans, as the hermit crab, or other animals, as the horseshoe crab, resembling the true crabs.
- (cap.)the zodiacal constellation or sign Cancer.
- (cap.)the Crab Nebula.
- any of various mechanical contrivances for hoisting or pulling.
- the maneuver of crabbing.
- the crab louse. See under(def. 1).
-
- (used with a sing. v.) a losing throw, as two aces, in the game of hazard.
- pediculosis.
- to make a faulty stroke in rowing, so that the oar strikes the water forcibly on the backstroke.
—v.i.
- to catch or attempt to catch crabs.
- to move sideways, diagonally, or obliquely, esp. with short, abrupt bursts of speed; scuttle.
- (of an aircraft) to head partly into the wind to compensate for drift.
- to drift or advance with some movement sideways, esp. when under tow.
—v.t.
- to move (a vehicle or object) sideways, diagonally, or obliquely, esp. with short, abrupt movements.
- to head (an aircraft) partly into the wind to compensate for drift.
crab
Pronunciation: (krab), [key]
— n.
- a crab apple fruit or tree.
crab
Pronunciation: (krab), [key]
— n., v., crabbed, crab•bing.
—n.
- an ill-tempered or grouchy person.
—v.i.
- to find fault; complain.
- (of hawks) to claw each other.
—v.t.
- to find fault with.
- to make ill-tempered or grouchy; embitter.
- (of a hawk) to claw (another hawk).
- to spoil.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.