Collins English-English Dictionary

crab [kræb]

1. 1. n 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

2. 2. n any of various similar or related arthropods, such as the hermit crab and horseshoe crab

3. 3. n short for crab louse

4. 4. n a manoeuvre in which an aircraft flies slightly into the crosswind to compensate for drift

5. 5. n a mechanical lifting device, esp the travelling hoist of a gantry crane

6. 6. n See Boston crab

7. 7. vi. [intr] to hunt or catch crabs

8. 8. vt. [tr] to fly (an aircraft) slightly into a crosswind to compensate for drift

9. 9. vi. [intr] [nautical] to move forwards with a slight sideways motion, as to overcome an offsetting current

10. 10. vi. [intr] to move sideways

11. 11. vi. See also crabs

12. 12. vi. [Etymology] Old English crabba; related to Old Norse krabbi, Old High German krebiz crab, Dutch krabben to scratch

crab [kræb]

1. 1. vi. [informal] [intr] to find fault; grumble

2. 2. vt. [tr] [chiefly US] to spoil (esp in the phrase crab someone's act)

3. 3. n an irritable person

4. 4. n [Etymology] C16: probably back formation from crabbed

crab [kræb]

1. 1. n short for crab apple

2. 2. n [Etymology] C15: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish skrabbe crab apple