scab

noun

\ˈskab

Definition of scab

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : scabies of domestic animals

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

3a : 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

scab

verb

scabbed; scabbing

Definition of scab (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to become covered with a scab

2 : to act as a scab

Examples of scab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Symptoms include itching, pain, small sores or blisters, ulcers and scabs. — Karen Kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "Yes, President Trump, there is a difference between HIV and HPV. Here's a handy tipsheet," 21 May 2018 Boils that must be lanced, or at least scabs that itch to be picked. — John Herrman, New York Times, "How Tiny Red Dots Took Over Your Life," 27 Feb. 2018 Fruit scab can be a major problem on apples and peaches. — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "Grow Healthy Food By Identifying + Treating These Common Plant Diseases," 21 July 2015 Symptoms include itching, pain, small sores or blisters, ulcers and scabs. — Karen Kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "Yes, President Trump, there is a difference between HIV and HPV. Here's a handy tipsheet," 21 May 2018 The prosecution motion describes the wounds stretching from head to toe as bruises, abrasions, red dots, scabs, cuts and a traumatic brain injury. — Garrett Therolf, latimes.com, "Anthony Avalos was extensively tortured over days before dying, prosecutors allege," 4 July 2018 Lea Kalisch’s Daphna is just as good at being awful – condescending and abrasive, always picking away at emotional scabs, Daphna is a memorable character if not an appealing one. — Matthew J. Palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Trapped in a studio apartment with 'Bad Jews'," 30 June 2018 Symptoms include itching, pain, small sores or blisters, ulcers and scabs. — Karen Kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "Yes, President Trump, there is a difference between HIV and HPV. Here's a handy tipsheet," 21 May 2018 Though there were allegedly visible blisters and scabs on her feet, her employer accused Stratichuk of fabricating the note. — Christina Oehler, Woman's Day, "Restaurant Ignores Server's Doctor's Note, Forces Her to Work in High Heels or Quit," 16 June 2015

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

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.