Word Frequency
scab (skæb
)
Definitions
noun
- the dried crusty surface of a healing skin wound or sore
- a contagious disease of sheep, a form of mange, caused by a mite (Psoroptes communis)
- a fungal disease of plants characterized by crusty spots on the fruits, leaves, etc
- (derogatory)
- Also called: blackleg. a person who refuses to support a trade union's actions, esp one who replaces a worker who is on strike
- (as modifier) ⇒
scab labour
- a despicable person
verb
Word forms: scabs, scabbing, scabbed
intr- to become covered with a scab
- (of a road surface) to become loose so that potholes develop
- to replace a striking worker
Derived Forms
ˈscabˌlike adjectiveWord Origin
Old English sceabb; related to Old Norse skabb, Latin scabiēs, Middle Low German schabbe scoundrel, German schäbigshabbyTranslations for 'scab'
- British English: scab A scab is a hard, dry covering that forms over the surface of a wound. NOUNThe area can be very painful until scabs form after about ten days.
- Brazilian Portuguese: casca
- Chinese: 痂
- European Spanish: costra
- French: croûte
- German: Schorf
- Italian: crosta
- Japanese: かさぶた
- Korean: > 딱지상처의
- Portuguese: casca
- Spanish: costra
Example Sentences Including 'scab'
Fleming, who has a Bugs Bunny tattoo below his fresh smallpox-vaccine scab , is usually a genial man.Globe and Mail (2003)
Her mother gave her a look, and soon, after some fidgeting, sighing and more scab picking, Julie was taken home.GOING OUT (2002)
If the scab is dislodged by further vigorous blowing then the base of the scab will bleed.Women's Health Questions Answered
It also contains lime, so don't use it on alkaline soils or potatoes, where it might encourage scab.Times, Sunday Times (2002)
It cracked in two and fell off like a broken scab , revealing an ugly scar that crawled and wriggled on his skin.LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
Julie couldn't follow what the grown-ups were talking about and eventually started picking an old scab on her finger.GOING OUT (2002)
PETER SAYS: Apple scab starts as brown spots on the leaves.Sun, News of the World (2001)
That doesn't give me any sense of closure, that picks the scab a little bit '.NME (New Musical Express) (2002)
This helps the snake kill prey because the victim's body can't seal off the area around the bite with a scab.canada.com (2004)
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