crab
crab1 / krab/ • n. 1. a crustacean (order Decapoda, class Malacostraca) with a broad carapace, stalked eyes, and five pairs of legs, the first pair of which are modified as pincers. ∎ the flesh of a crab as food. ∎ (the Crab) the zodiacal sign or constellation Cancer. 2. (also crab louse) a louse (Phthirus pubis, family Pediculidae) that infests human body hair, esp. in the genital region, causing extreme irritation. ∎ (crabs) inf. an infestation of crab lice. 3. a machine for lifting heavy weights.• v. 1. [tr.] move sideways or obliquely. 2. [intr.] fish for crabs.DERIVATIVES: crab·ber n.crab·like / -ˌlīk/ adj. & adv.crab2 • n. short for crab apple.crab3 • n. inf. an irritable person.• v. (crabbed, crab·bing) inf. 1. [intr.] grumble, typically about something petty.2. [tr.] act so as to spoil: you're trying to crab my act.
