Definitions for crabbed

• Definition
• Anagrams (165)

crabbed crab·bed

Spelling: [krab-id]

IPA: /ˈkræb ɪd/

Crabbed is a 7 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 14 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 17 points.

You can make 165 anagrams from letters in crabbed (abbcder).

Definitions for crabbed

noun

1. any decapod crustacean of the suborder Brachyura, having the eyes on short stalks and a short, broad, more or less flattened body, the abdomen being small and folded under the thorax.
2. any of various other crustaceans, as the hermit crab, or other animals, as the horseshoe crab, resembling the true crabs.
3. (initial capital letter) Astronomy, Astrology. the zodiacal constellation or sign Cancer.
4. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. the Crab Nebula.
5. any of various mechanical contrivances for hoisting or pulling.
6. Aeronautics. the maneuver of crabbing.
7. Informal. the crab louse. See under louse (def 1).
8. crabs. (used with a singular verb) a losing throw, as two aces, in the game of hazard. pediculosis.
9. Informal. an ill-tempered or grouchy person.

Idioms

1. catch a crab, to make a faulty stroke in rowing, so that the oar strikes the water forcibly on the backstroke.

adjective

1. grouchy; ill-natured; irritable; churlish.
2. perverse; contrary; obstinate.
3. hard to understand; intricate and obscure.
4. difficult to read or decipher, as handwriting.

verb (used with object)

1. to move (a vehicle or object) sideways, diagonally, or obliquely, especially with short, abrupt movements.
2. Aeronautics. to head (an aircraft) partly into the wind to compensate for drift.
3. Informal. to find fault with.
4. to make ill-tempered or grouchy; embitter.
5. (of a hawk) to claw (another hawk).
6. Slang. to spoil.

verb (used without object)

1. to catch or attempt to catch crabs.
2. to move sideways, diagonally, or obliquely, especially with short, abrupt bursts of speed; scuttle.
3. Aeronautics. (of an aircraft) to head partly into the wind to compensate for drift.
4. Nautical. to drift or advance with some movement sideways, especially when under tow.
5. Informal. to find fault; complain.
6. (of hawks) to claw each other.

Origin of crabbed

Middle English word dating back to 1250-1300; See origin at crab¹, -ed³

Examples for crabbed

He was a crabbed old fellow, and all the boys got to hate him.

"Don't be crabbed, my boy," said the other, who was very coolly fixing his flint.

The times were harsh and crabbed, and the song they yielded was like unto themselves.

He's crabbed on the drink question; that's why he settled in Colorado Springs.

Nobody wanted to hand a plum invasion spot to some fat egghead from a snooty rag, he crabbed.

He studied the crabbed handwriting of its pages and often grew meditative over it.

Be pleasant, don't be cross and crabbed because someone else in the household is not pleasant.

But the crabbed, cruel uncle turns him away also, and bolts the door.

No, I will play ‘crabbed Age,’” she decided, “and youth shall sing it.

That made me real happy; for I am not a crabbed old bachelor by any means.