"crab" Definition

Definitions for the word "crab" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. n.
1 a ten-footed crustacean, with the first pair of legs as pincers. B crab as food. 2 (crab) sign or constellation cancer. 3 (in full crab-louse) (often in pl.) Parasitic louse transmitted sexually to esp. Pubic hair. 4 machine for hoisting heavy weights. catch a crab rowing jam an oar or miss the water. crablike adj. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
2. n.
1 (in full crab-apple) small sour apple. 2 (in full crab tree or crab-apple tree) tree (esp. Uncultivated) bearing this. 3 sour person. [origin unknown]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
3. v.
(-bb-) colloq. 1 criticize; grumble. 2 spoil. [low german krabben]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
4. slang
a disagreeable old person. Name of a wild and sour fruit.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
5. slang
“to catch a CRAB,” to fall backwards by missing a stroke in rowing. From the crab-like or sprawling appearance of the man when in the bottom of the boat.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
6. slang
to offend, or insult; to expose or defeat a robbery, to inform against. CRAB, in the sense of “to offend,” is _Old English_. “If I think one thing and speak another, I will both CRAB Christ and our Ladie His mother.” _Packman’s Paternoster._
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864

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This page provides a list of definitions and meanings for "crab" from various historical English dictionaries. By displaying multiple definitions, you can compare and contrast different meanings and nuances of a word, phrase, or slang. You can also see the changes in meaning of "crab" over time by viewing the definitions from different dictionaries published at different times in history. The page also includes other information to help users expand their vocabulary and understand the context of the word.

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