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

Graf and Waldorf advise skipping the concealer until the scab has healed. — Emily Gaynor, Teen Vogue, "How to Treat a Curling Iron Burn," 9 Aug. 2018 For them to do that will take some work, because the real way that unions are able to be effective is to be able to strike and keep scabs out. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "‘Sorry to Bother You’ director Boots Riley suspects social media platforms are hiding politics they don’t like," 8 Oct. 2018 The Verge spoke to Ignotofsky about velvet worms, how art is like a scab, and why mistakes are a key part of style. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "Get a grip on the natural world with this beautiful manual for the planet," 15 Sep. 2018 An unsuccessful squeeze with slightly too-long nails left a small scab on my chin that felt enormous to me. — Rachel Jacoby Zoldan, Glamour, "The No-Frills Face Cream That Tackles the Toughest Dry Spots," 27 Aug. 2018 The emerald green gowns, gloves, carpets, and wallpaper that came into vogue in Victorian Britain, which appeared extra brilliant thanks to the arsenic in their dye, resulted in scabs, sores, and organ failure. — Eliza Brooke, Vox, "Why cadmium, a metal that can cause kidney and bone damage, is still used in jewelry," 12 Oct. 2018 Brown had a bruise and scab on his face before a game between the Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets that was played later on the day of his arrest, according to WISN. — Emanuella Grinberg, CNN, "Officers involved in arrest of NBA's Sterling Brown disciplined, police chief says," 23 May 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 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

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.