Crāb1, n.
n. [A-S. crabba, Icel. krabbi, Sw. krabba, L. Ger. & Dan. krabbe, D. krab, from Lat. carabus, a kind of sea-crab, Gr. κάραβος.]
Sense 1. (Zoöl.) An animal of the class Crustacea, having the body covered by a crust-like shell called the carapax. It has ten legs, the front pair of which terminate in claws. See CRUSTACEA.
Sense 2. [See CRAB, a.] (Bot.) A wild apple, or the tree producing it;—so named from its harsh taste.
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl, Then nightly sings the staring owl. Shak.
Sense 3. (Mech.) (a.) A form of crane used for raising or moving heavy weights. (b.) A contrivance for launching ships or raising them into a dock.
Sense 4. A peevish, morose person.
To catch a crab, to fall backward by missing a stroke in rowing.
