nounπShareA crustacean of the infraorder Brachyura, having five pairs of legs, the foremost of which are in the form of claws, and a carapace."We saw many crabs scuttling sideways on the beach, their claws snapping at the sand. "animalbiologyoceanfoodChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe meat of this crustacean, served as food; crabmeat"We had crabs for dinner last night, and they were delicious. "foodanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA bad-tempered person."My boss is such a crab; he's always grumpy and critical. "characterpersonattitudeChat 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."medicinediseaseinsectbiologyorganismbodysexhumanChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA playing card with the rank of three.""He had a pair of crabs, making his hand weak for the poker 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 novice rower caught crabs three times during his first practice, struggling to keep his oar from being forced under the boat. "sportnauticalsailingChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA defect in an outwardly normal object that may render it inconvenient and troublesome to use."The software had a few crabs β small bugs that made printing documents difficult. "technicaldevicemachinequalityChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn unsold book that is returned to the publisher."After poor sales, the bookstore shipped a box of crabs back to the publisher. "businessliteratureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo fish for crabs."My family loves to crabs on the weekends at the bay. "fishanimalfoodnauticaloceanChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo ruin.""His negativity always crabs my mood." "negativeactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo complain.""My little brother always crabs when I ask him to do chores." "attitudeemotioncharacterChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo drift or move sideways or to leeward (by analogy with the movement of a crab)."The small boat crabbed down the river, fighting the current and wind, making it difficult to steer a straight course. "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 pilot had to crabs the small plane into the wind to stay on course and land safely on the short runway. "technicalvehiclenauticalsailingChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo move (a camera) sideways."The director told the camera operator to crabs left slowly to follow the actor as he walked across the stage. "mediatechnologycommunicationChat 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."During the aerial dogfight, the pilot had to crabs slightly to the left to get a clear shot at the enemy's plane with his wing-mounted machine gun, since his guns couldn't fire through the propeller. "militarywarvehiclemachineactionhistorytechnicalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo back out of something.""He said he'd help me move furniture, but he crabbed out at the last minute." "attitudeactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe crab apple or wild apple."My grandmother's garden has a beautiful crab tree, loaded with delicious crab apples. "fruitplantChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe tree bearing crab apples, which has a dogbane-like bitter bark with medical use."The herbalist carefully harvested bark from the crabs in the orchard, knowing its bitter properties could be used to treat skin ailments. "plantmedicineChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA cudgel made of the wood of the crab tree; a crabstick."The old farmer kept a pair of crabs leaning against the barn door, useful for prodding livestock and warding off stray dogs. "weaponutensilChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA movable winch or windlass with powerful gearing, used with derricks, etc."The construction workers used the large crabs to lift the heavy beams onto the building. "technicalmachineChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA form of windlass, or geared capstan, for hauling ships into dock, etc."The shipyard used crabs to carefully pull the massive tanker into the dry dock for repairs. "nauticalsailingmachineChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA machine used in ropewalks to stretch the yarn."At the old rope factory, the crabs stretched the spun hemp yarn taut before it was laid into rope. "machineindustryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA claw for anchoring a portable machine."The photographer used crabs to secure his lighting equipment to the metal scaffolding. "machinetechnicalitemChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShare(obsolete) To irritate, make surly or sour"The constant criticism began to crabs him, making him withdrawn and irritable. "attitudecharactermindemotionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo be ill-tempered; to complain or find fault."My little brother always crabs when he has to do his homework. "attitudecharacteremotionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShare(British dialect) To cudgel or beat, as with a crabstick"The bully threatened to crabs anyone who tattled on him to the teacher. "actionweaponChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe tree species Carapa guianensis, native to South America."The furniture maker chose to use wood from the crabs tree, known for its rich color and durability, to build the new table. "plantnaturebiologyagriculturematerialscienceenvironmentChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareShort for carabiner."I need to attach my water bottle to my backpack using the small crabs. "technicalitemChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading