Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   scab

   /skab/

   noun

   • 1. a dry, rough protective crust that forms over a cut or wound during healing.
   • 2. mange or a similar skin disease in animals.
   • ▪ any of a number of fungal diseases of plants in which rough patches develop, especially on apples and potatoes.
   • 3. a person or thing regarded with contempt. informal
   • ▪ a person who refuses to strike or join a trade union or who takes the place of a striking worker. derogatory

   verb

   • 1. become encrusted or covered with a scab or scabs: "I had a cut on my arm that had scabbed over"
   • 2. act or work as a scab: derogatory "two inspectors who scabbed on the last strike were out this week"
   • 3. scrounge: informal British "she tried to scab a fag off me"

   Word Origin Middle English (as a noun): from Old Norse skabb; related to dialect shab (compare with shabby). The sense ‘contemptible person’ (dating from the late 16th century) was probably influenced by Middle Dutch schabbe ‘promiscuous woman’.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • B

     3

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points