Crab Meaning and Definition
Crab
Pronunciation
/kræb/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A crustacean that has a broad, flat body, typically with a round shell and eight legs, found in oceans and other bodies of water.
Examples
- The tourist fed the crabs at the beach.
- The crab was cooked in a spicy sauce.
Synonyms
- Crustacean
- Seafood
Antonyms
- Terrain
- Land
Etymology
The word “crab” comes from the Old English word “crabb”, which is related to the Proto-Germanic word “*krabbiz”, meaning “cut off” or “broken off”.
Usage Notes
The word “crab” can be used to refer to both the creature and its meat, which is often used in cooking.
Cultural References
The crab is a symbol of good luck in many Asian cultures, and is often depicted in art and literature as a humble but resilient creature.
idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- bite off more than you can chew
- in a crab-like fashion
Related Words or Phrases
- Lobster
- Shrimp
- Crustacean
Collocations
- Crab legs
- Crab cake
- Crab boil
Frequency of Use
The word “crab” is relatively common in everyday language, with a frequency of use of around 1.5 per 100 million words.
Common Misspellings
- Crabb
- Crabbs
- Krab