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

Other Words from scab Example Sentences Learn More about scab

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Examples of scab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Blues at Bruins, Oct. 26 Just grab that Game 7 scab and rip. — Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, "Reasons to get excited about (almost) every game on the Bruins schedule," 14 Aug. 2019 Herpes Simplex Virus-2, or genital herpes, can cause blistering sores and ulcers that eventually become scabs. — Christina Oehler, Health.com, "Is Blue Waffle Disease Real? Here’s What a Gynecologist Says," 23 July 2019 According to a probable cause affidavit, the cat had serious burns, was missing fur, was covered in scabs, was completely missing one toe and had the bone from another toe exposed. — oregonlive.com, "Portland woman convicted of animal neglect after leaving cat’s severe burns untreated," 23 July 2019 And while Pantaleo's career, and possibly freedom, hang in the balance, a mother's grief remains, with each emotional scab reopened at every departmental hearing, anniversary and rally. — Mark Morales, CNN, "Five years after Eric Garner's death, questions remain over officer's actions in the confrontation," 16 July 2019 Last month, to celebrate the anniversary, the White Sox gave out commemorative Disco Demolition T-shirts to 10,000 fans for a home game and even that echo promotion scraped a scab from an old wound. — Joe Lapointe, Detroit Free Press, "40 years ago, Disco Demolition Night stirred culture war still being fought," 12 July 2019 The disastrous strike of 1987—during which the league fielded scab players, and the networks happily broadcast scab football, a formidable alliance of interests set against those of the players—would not have happened. — Conor Orr, SI.com, "Fate of the Union: What the NFLPA Can Learn From the Fight of '77," 18 June 2019 Her body was fully covered in scars, scabs, blisters and bruises from whip marks. — Linda Trischitta, sun-sentinel.com, "Girl, 8, abused by three adults, Fort Lauderdale police say," 4 June 2019 These complications, which have been reported for facial injections, can include vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs, or permanent scarring of the skin. — Vogue, "Celebrity Manicurist Deborah Lippmann on Beauty, Aging, and the Product That Changed her Relationship With her Hands," 1 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Cellulitis can cause a painful, red, tender, swollen rash that may blister and scab over, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "5 Belly Button Infections You Can Get (and What to Do If You Have One)," 23 Feb. 2019 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.