scab

noun \ ˈskab \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 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

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Recent Examples of scab from the Web

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
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
Symptoms include itching, pain, small sores or blisters, ulcers and scabs.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "Yes, President Trump, there is a difference between HIV and HPV. Here's a handy tipsheet," 19 May 2018
The workers’ union, Communications Workers of America, says the company is refusing to meet workers even part-way and has brought in replacement workers, or scabs.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "The Pinkertons Still Never Sleep," 23 Mar. 2018
The blisters heal in a week or two to form crusty scabs that eventually fall off.

— jane e. brody, New York Times, "Why You Should Get the New Shingles Vaccine," 9 Apr. 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

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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