Scab (skab), n. [OE. scab, scabbe, shabbe; cf. AS. scæb, sceabb, scebb, Dan. & Sw. skab, and also L. scabies, fr. scabere to scratch, akin to E. shave. See Shave, and cf. Shab, Shabby.]

1.

An incrustation over a sore, wound, vesicle, or pustule, formed by the drying up of the discharge from the diseased part.

2.

The itch in man; also, the scurvy. [Colloq. or Obs.]

3.

The mange, esp. when it appears on sheep. Chaucer.

4.

A disease of potatoes producing pits in their surface, caused by a minute fungus (Tiburcinia Scabies).

5. (Founding)

A slight irregular protuberance which defaces the surface of a casting, caused by the breaking away of a part of the mold.

6.

A mean, dirty, paltry fellow. [Low] Shak.

7.

A nickname for a workman who engages for lower wages than are fixed by the trades unions; also, for one who takes the place of a workman on a strike. [Cant]

 

© Webster 1913


Scab, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scabbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scabbing.]

To become covered with a scab; as, the wound scabbed over.

 

© Webster 1913


Scab, n. (Bot.)

Any one of various more or less destructive fungus diseases attacking cultivated plants, and usually forming dark-colored crustlike spots.

 

© Webster 1913