Crab

Definition

Crab refers to any of various marine or freshwater decapod crustaceans with a broad carapace and pincers; as a verb, it means to move sideways like a crab or to complain or find fault. Its plural form is crabs.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (intransitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /kræb/
• Respelling: KRAB

British English

• IPA: /kræb/
• Respelling: KRAB

Etymology

Old English crabba “crab,” from Proto-Germanic *krabban; related to Dutch krab and German Krabbe.

Derivatives

• crabby (adjective)
• crablike (adjective)
• crabbing (noun/gerund)
• crabbed (verb past)

Synonyms

• Noun: crustacean
• Verb: scuttle, grumble, complain

Antonyms

• Verb: praise, compliment, advance

Usage

Noun: The noun "crab" is used in culinary, biological, and ecological contexts to refer to crustaceans valued both as seafood and as key species in coastal ecosystems. For example, "The restaurant served fresh steamed crab with garlic butter," or "Blue crabs are important in Chesapeake Bay fisheries."

Verb: The verb "crab" is used to describe sideways movement or expressing complaint. For example, "The vehicle can crab diagonally into tight parking spaces," or "He crabbed about the slow service."

Related Terms

• Crustacean: Aquatic arthropods with a hard exoskeleton and jointed limbs.
• Decapod: An order of crustaceans with ten legs.
• Carapace: The hard upper shell of a crab.
• Pincer: A claw used for grasping or defense.
• Scuttle: A rapid, sideways movement typical of crabs.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A marine or freshwater decapod crustacean – characterized by a broad shell and two large pincers.
  • Example: "Hermit crabs carry shells for protection."

Verb

• To move sideways like a crab – to advance or position by lateral movement.
  • Example: "The robot can crab along narrow corridors."
• To complain or find fault – to express dissatisfaction or gripe.
  • Example: "They crabbed about the long wait."