nounπShareA crustacean of the infraorder Brachyura, having five pairs of legs, the foremost of which are in the form of claws, and a carapace."The crab scurried across the sandy beach, its large claws outstretched. "animalbiologynatureoceanfoodChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe meat of this crustacean, served as food; crabmeat"We had crab for dinner last night, and it was delicious with garlic butter. "foodanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA bad-tempered person."My boss is a real crab; he gets angry over the smallest things. "personcharacterattitudeChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShare(in plural crabs) An infestation of pubic lice (Pthirus pubis)."Although crabs themselves are an easily treated inconvenience, the patient and his partner(s) clearly run major STD risks."medicinediseaseinsectbiologyorganismmicroorganismsexbodyanatomyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA playing card with the rank of three."My younger brother drew a crab on his playing cards during the game. "gamenumberChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA position in rowing where the oar is pushed under the rigger by the force of the water."The rower adopted a crab position to get the boat moving quickly. "sportnauticalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA defect in an outwardly normal object that may render it inconvenient and troublesome to use."The new office chair looked perfect, but a hidden crab in the height adjustment made it constantly slip downwards. "technicaldevicemachinetechnologyqualityChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn unsold book that is returned to the publisher."The bookstore returned the copy of the new mystery novel to the publisher as a crab. "businessliteratureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo fish for crabs."My grandfather crabs for dinner in the bay every Saturday. "fishactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo ruin."The bad weather completely crabbed my plans for a picnic. "negativeactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo complain.""My roommate always crabs about the noise when I practice my guitar." "attitudecharacterlanguageChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo drift or move sideways or to leeward (by analogy with the movement of a crab)."The sailboat crabbed across the lake, pushed gently by the wind. "nauticalsailingdirectionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo navigate (an aircraft, e.g. a glider) sideways against an air current in order to maintain a straight-line course."The glider pilot had to crab to stay on course for the landing spot. "technicalvehiclenauticalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo move (a camera) sideways."To film the action clearly, the photographer crabbed the camera sideways. "mediaentertainmenttechnologyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShare(World War I), to fly slightly off the straight-line course towards an enemy aircraft, as the machine guns on early aircraft did not allow firing through the propeller disk."The pilot crabbed the plane slightly to the right to get a better shot at the enemy aircraft. "militarywarvehiclemachinetechnicalhistoryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo back out of something."He promised to help me move, but he crabbed at the last minute, leaving me to do it alone. "attitudeactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe crab apple or wild apple."My grandmother's orchard has many crab trees, and we often pick the crab apples for pies. "fruitplantfoodnatureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe tree bearing crab apples, which has a dogbane-like bitter bark with medical use."My grandmother's garden has a crab tree, known for its distinctive bitter bark that's used for traditional remedies. "plantmedicinefruitChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA cudgel made of the wood of the crab tree; a crabstick."The carpenter used a crab to pound the nails into the wood. "materialutensilweaponChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA movable winch or windlass with powerful gearing, used with derricks, etc."The construction crew used a large crab to hoist the heavy beams onto the roof. "technicalmachinenauticalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA form of windlass, or geared capstan, for hauling ships into dock, etc."The harbor workers used the large crab to pull the ship closer to the dock. "nauticalmachineChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA machine used in ropewalks to stretch the yarn."The ropewalk workers used a special crab to stretch the yarn for the new fishing nets. "machinenauticaltechnicalindustryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA claw for anchoring a portable machine."The technician used a crab to securely fasten the portable X-ray machine to the uneven hospital floor. "machinetechnicalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShare(obsolete) To irritate, make surly or sour"His boss's criticism of his report really crabbed him all morning. "characterattitudeemotionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo be ill-tempered; to complain or find fault."My brother always crabs about the school cafeteria food. "attitudecharacteremotionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShare(British dialect) To cudgel or beat, as with a crabstick"The school bully used to threaten to crab smaller children with his walking stick if they didn't give him their lunch money. "actionweaponChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe tree species Carapa guianensis, native to South America."The botanist studied the crab tree, a species of Carapa guianensis, in the tropical forest exhibit. "plantChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareShort for carabiner."I used a crab to attach my backpack to the climbing frame. "technicaldeviceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
