Crabbed: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
crabbed
[ หkrรฆbษชd ]
mood, behavior
The term 'crabbed' describes a person who is irritable, ill-tempered, or difficult to deal with. It may also refer to a situation that is marked by a lack of generosity or a narrow-minded approach. People characterized as crabbed often exhibit a pessimistic or sour attitude. This word can also imply a tendency to be petty or overly critical in interactions.
Synonyms
cantankerous, cross, irritable, petty, sour.
Examples of usage
- She always has a crabbed expression when things don't go her way.
- His crabbed nature made it difficult for him to make friends.
- The meeting was filled with crabbed remarks that stifled creativity.
writing, style
To 'crab' can also mean to complain or express dissatisfaction, often in a minor or petty way. When discussing writing, it may refer to a style that is difficult to read or convoluted. This usage is less common but reflects a tendency to focus on minor details rather than the broader picture.
Synonyms
complain, fret, grumble, moan, whine.
Examples of usage
- He tended to crab about small mistakes in the report.
- The editor described the manuscript as crabbed and hard to follow.
Translations
Translations of the word "crabbed" in other languages:
๐ต๐น ranzinza
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคฐเฅเคฌเฅเคก
๐ฉ๐ช grimmig
๐ฎ๐ฉ murung
๐บ๐ฆ ะฝะตะดะพะฑัะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ zrzฤdliwy
๐ฏ๐ต ไธๆฉๅซใช
๐ซ๐ท grincheux
๐ช๐ธ gruรฑรณn
๐น๐ท huysuz
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฌ์ ๊ถ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุนุงุจุณ
๐จ๐ฟ mrzutรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ mrzutรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ่พๆฐๅ็
๐ธ๐ฎ mrลกฤen
๐ฎ๐ธ mรบldur
๐ฐ๐ฟ าะฐัะฐะป
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ qษzษbli
๐ฒ๐ฝ gruรฑรณn
Etymology
The word 'crabbed' has its origins in the early 15th century, derived from the Middle English 'crabbe' which means 'grumpy or irritable'. It is believed to be related to the Old Norse 'krabbi' (meaning crab), which is often associated with a snapping or aggressive manner, akin to the behavior of the crustacean itself. The association with 'irritability' stems from the notion that crabs have a propensity to pinch and defend themselves, metaphorically linking their behavior with the temperament of certain individuals. Over centuries, 'crabbed' transitioned from its focus purely on the crustacean to encapsulating a broader spectrum of human behaviors, especially those reflecting negativity or narrow-mindedness.