Crabbed: meaning, definitions and examples

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crabbed

 

[หˆkrรฆbษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

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.
Context #2 | Verb

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'crabbed' comes from the Middle English word 'crabbed,' meaning crooked or twisted.
  • It is linked to the Old English 'crabba,' referring to the crab creature, hinting at a sideways nature.
  • Usage in literature dates back to the 14th century, depicting both moodiness and complex handwriting.

Literature

  • Shakespeare often described characters as crabbed to highlight their angry or unfriendly personalities.
  • In classic novels, an author might use crabbed language to showcase a character's frustration or bitterness.
  • The term is also used in poetry to convey a sense of confinement or displeasure in modern works.

Psychology

  • People described as crabbed may have underlying issues like stress or anxiety causing their bad mood.
  • Mood can affect communication, making crabbed individuals appear unfriendly or unapproachable.
  • Understanding the crabbed behavior can lead to better interpersonal communication and empathy.

Pop Culture

  • In popular cartoons, characters often display crabbed traits for comedic effect, exaggerating their grumpy nature.
  • Movies with grumpy characters often use exaggeration for humor, reinforcing the idea of being crabbed.
  • Social media often portrays crabbed posts as humorous, with users joking about their own mood swings.

Art

  • In visual art, crabbed styles may be represented through intricate, tangled lines or gloomy color palettes.
  • Artists use crabbed forms to express confinement or tension, creating a visual metaphor for stress.
  • Some sculptures and carvings depict features and expressions that convey a crabbed demeanor.

Translations

Translations of the word "crabbed" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น ranzinza

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅเคฐเฅˆเคฌเฅเคก

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช grimmig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ murung

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะตะดะพะฑั€ะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zrzฤ™dliwy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไธๆฉŸๅซŒใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท grincheux

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ gruรฑรณn

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท huysuz

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‹ฌ์ˆ ๊ถ‚์€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนุงุจุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mrzutรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mrzutรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่„พๆฐ”ๅ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ mrลกฤen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mรบldur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั‚ะฐะป

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒ”แƒžแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qษ™zษ™bli

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ gruรฑรณn

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,308 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.