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Crab - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A crab is a marine crustacean with a hard shell, ten legs, and pincers. It walks sideways and lives in oceans, freshwater, or on land. Some species are edible.

crab

/kræb/ /kræb/

Definition:

A crustacean with a broad carapace, stalked eyes, and five pairs of legs, the first of which are pincers.

Synonyms:

crustacean, shellfish, lobster, prawn

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

bird, mammal

Common Collocations:

crab legs, crab cake, crab trap, crab meat

Derivatives:

crabbed, crabbing

Usage Tips:

Use "crab" as a noun for the animal or as a verb meaning to complain irritably.

Common Phrases:

catch a crab, crab mentality, crabs in a bucket

Etymology:

From Old English "crabba," related to Dutch "krab" and German "Krebs."

Examples:

  • 1. The crab scuttled sideways along the beach.
  • 2. She loves eating steamed crab with butter.
  • 3. He always crabs about the weather.
  • 4. We went crabbing at low tide.

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