crab
1any 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.
Crab,
Astronomy, Astrology. the zodiacal constellation or sign Cancer.
Astronomy. the Crab Nebula.
any of various mechanical contrivances for hoisting or pulling.
Aeronautics. the maneuver of crabbing.
Informal. the crab louse.: See under louse (def. 1).
crabs,
(used with a singular verb) a losing throw, as two aces, in the game of hazard.
to catch or attempt to catch crabs.
to move sideways, diagonally, or obliquely, especially with short, abrupt bursts of speed; scuttle.
Aeronautics. (of an aircraft) to head partly into the wind to compensate for drift.
Nautical. to drift or advance with some movement sideways, especially when under tow.
to move (a vehicle or object) sideways, diagonally, or obliquely, especially with short, abrupt movements.
Aeronautics. to head (an aircraft) partly into the wind to compensate for drift.
Idioms about crab
catch a crab, to make a faulty stroke in rowing, so that the oar strikes the water forcibly on the backstroke.
Origin of crab
1Other words from crab
- crablike, adjective
Words Nearby crab
Other definitions for crab (2 of 3)
a crab apple fruit or tree.
Origin of crab
2Other definitions for crab (3 of 3)
Informal. an ill-tempered or grouchy person.
Informal. to find fault; complain.
(of hawks) to claw each other.
Informal. to find fault with.
to make ill-tempered or grouchy; embitter.
(of a hawk) to claw (another hawk).
Slang. to spoil.
Origin of crab
3Other words from crab
- crabber, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use crab in a sentence
However, he lets shellfish, such as crab or shrimp, sit on the kitchen counter for too long, in my opinion.
Hints From Heloise: Housewarming gift gets recipient fired up | Heloise Heloise | January 27, 2021 | Washington PostShe can watch the sunset on the Chesapeake and catch crabs off her dock.
Sea-level rise is ‘the hidden threat’ for Anne Arundel waterfront homes | Selene San Felice | January 26, 2021 | Washington PostDespite the name, they are not real crabs, so they’re not crustaceans.
Explainer: Insects, arachnids and other arthropods | Curtis Segarra | January 19, 2021 | Science News For StudentsYou can’t throw a net without snaring a crab cake in Washington.
We lost Johnny’s Half Shell to the pandemic. After 20 years, it deserves a farewell toast. | Tom Sietsema | January 15, 2021 | Washington PostTheir eight powerful limbs can pluck crusty crabs from hiding spots.
Touching allows octopuses to pre-taste their food | Jonathan Lambert | January 4, 2021 | Science News For Students
Someone called him a hermit crab lurking in the halls of the United Nations.
There were jokes about Winston shoplifting crab legs earlier this year.
Wrap cooked crab legs in bacon, and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Epic Meal Empire’s Meat Monstrosities: From the Bacon Spider to the Cinnabattleship | Harley Morenstein | July 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen it comes to Dungeness crab, plain is perfect, but culinary adventurers should also try a house-made Dungeness crab burger.
Become a Fried Seafood Believer at South Beach Market | Jane & Michael Stern | April 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSalmon burgers and shrimp burgers are available, too, but they are no match for the crab.
Become a Fried Seafood Believer at South Beach Market | Jane & Michael Stern | April 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTLeo stood in front of the crab, and the half darkness allowed him a glimpse of that vast blue-black back, and the motionless eyes.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard KiplingIn the middle of his singing he felt the cold touch of the crab's claw on the apple of his throat.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard Kipling“Follow me, Mr Larks,” he said, turning and descending the ladder sailor-fashion—which means crab-wise.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. BallantyneShe would miss the car and raise a hullabaloo, and maybe crab the whole thing in the start.
Cabin Fever | B. M. BowerThe crab begins by tearing the husk, fiber by fiber, and always from that end under which the three eye-holes are situated.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | Various
British Dictionary definitions for crab (1 of 4)
/ (kræb) /
any chiefly marine decapod crustacean of the genus Cancer and related genera (section Brachyura), having a broad flattened carapace covering the cephalothorax, beneath which is folded the abdomen. The first pair of limbs are modified as pincers: See also fiddler crab, soft-shell crab, pea crab, oyster crab Related adjective: cancroid
any of various similar or related arthropods, such as the hermit crab and horseshoe crab
short for crab louse
a manoeuvre in which an aircraft flies slightly into the crosswind to compensate for drift
a mechanical lifting device, esp the travelling hoist of a gantry crane
wrestling See Boston crab
catch a crab rowing to make a stroke in which the oar either misses the water or digs too deeply, causing the rower to fall backwards
(intr) to hunt or catch crabs
(tr) to fly (an aircraft) slightly into a crosswind to compensate for drift
(intr) nautical to move forwards with a slight sideways motion, as to overcome an offsetting current
(intr) to move sideways
Origin of crab
1- See also crabs
British Dictionary definitions for crab (2 of 4)
/ (kræb) informal /
(intr) to find fault; grumble
(tr) mainly US to spoil (esp in the phrase crab someone's act)
an irritable person
draw the crabs Australian to attract unwelcome attention
Origin of crab
2British Dictionary definitions for crab (3 of 4)
/ (kræb) /
short for crab apple
Origin of crab
3British Dictionary definitions for Crab (4 of 4)
/ (kræb) /
the Crab the constellation Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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