scab

noun \ ˈskab \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of scab

1 : scabies of domestic animals

2 : a crust of hardened blood and serum over a wound

3 a : a contemptible person

b (1) : a worker who refuses to join a labor union

(2) : a union member who refuses to strike or returns to work before a strike has ended

(3) : a worker who accepts employment or replaces a union worker during a strike

(4) : one who works for less than union wages or on nonunion terms

4 : any of various bacterial or fungus diseases of plants characterized by crustaceous spots; also : one of the spots

See scab defined for English-language learners

See scab defined for kids

Recent Examples of scab from the Web

The young man, who is unable to speak, had bloody scabs on his left ear, multiple bruises around it, bruises on his legs and rug burns on both arms and his elbows.

— jason ruiter, OrlandoSentinel.com, "State moves to revoke Carlton Palms' license, details rape, death and abuse at facility for severely disabled," 17 Apr. 2018
On March 22, Rudd posted a photo of her son, Cash, with scabs on his face and asked her Facebook feed for advice on how to help his eczema.

— jennifer aldrich, Country Living, "People Are Raving That This $30 Lush Lotion "Cures" Eczema," 13 Apr. 2018
Unions have also been slow to organize charter-school teachers, long viewing them as scabs who threaten their livelihoods.

— rachel m. cohen, The Atlantic, "The Teachers’ Movement Goes Virtual," 11 Apr. 2018
Miners went on strike, the company bosses brought in scabs to replace them, and the women of mining households — mostly German and Slovenian immigrants — took to the street.

— sarah smarsh, The Cut, "The Uprising of Women in Red States Is Just Beginning," 14 Mar. 2018
The violent video games conversation is like this scab.

— kyle orland, Ars Technica, "Yelling at “scumbags”—inside the White House’s last gaming violence summit," 8 Mar. 2018
One of the cats, Itty Bitty, is covered with scabs.

— ken otterbourg, Longreads, "Grief is a Jumble Word," 24 Feb. 2018
The make-up department has slathered his face in scabs, bruises and dirt.

— gogo lidz, Newsweek, "Matt Damon Spills About 'The Martian'," 18 June 2015
The alkaline soil here can contribute to potato skin lesions called scab, but may be avoided by including some peat moss (acidic) in the planting hole or trench.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "here is a timeline for planting crops this year in southern idaho | Idaho Statesman," 7 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scab.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scab

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Swedish skabbr scab; akin to Old English sceabb scab, Latin scabere to scratch — more at shave

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

scab

verb

Definition of scab

scabbed; scabbing

intransitive verb

1 : to become covered with a scab

2 : to act as a scab

Recent Examples of scab from the Web

The blisters typically scab over in seven to 10 days, and can take up to four weeks to clear up.

— korin miller, SELF, "Yes, Shingles Is Contagious—Kind of," 17 July 2017

First Known Use of scab

1683

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SCAB Defined for English Language Learners

scab

noun

Definition of scab for English Language Learners

: a hard covering of dried blood that forms over a wound to cover and protect it as it heals
: a worker who does not join a strike or who takes the place of another worker who is on strike

SCAB Defined for Kids

scab

noun \ ˈskab \

Definition of scab for Students

: a crust mostly of hardened blood that forms over and protects a sore or wound as it heals

Medical Dictionary

scab

noun \ ˈskab \

medical Definition of scab

1 : scabies of domestic animals

2 : a hardened covering of dried secretions (as blood, plasma, or pus) that forms over a wound — called also crust

—

scabby

play \-ē\ adjective scabbier; scabbiest

scab

intransitive verb

medical Definition of scab

scabbed; scabbing

: to become covered with a scab

the wound scabbed over

Law Dictionary

scab

noun

legal Definition of scab

1 : a worker who refuses to join a labor union

2 : a union member who refuses to strike or returns to work before a strike has ended

3 : a worker who accepts employment or replaces a union worker during a strike : strike breaker

4 : one who works for less than union wages or on nonunion terms

Learn More about scab

See words that rhyme with scab Spanish Central: Translation of scab Nglish: Translation of scab for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scab for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scab

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scab

Definition of scab

Recent Examples of scab from the Web

Origin and Etymology of scab

scab

Definition of scab

Recent Examples of scab from the Web

First Known Use of scab

SCAB Defined for English Language Learners

scab

Definition of scab for English Language Learners

SCAB Defined for Kids

scab

Definition of scab for Students

Medical Dictionary

scab

medical Definition of scab

scabby

scab

medical Definition of scab

Law Dictionary

scab

legal Definition of scab

Learn More about scab

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