scab

UK: /ˈskæb/ US: /skæb/ ,(skab)

Inflections of 'scab' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

scabs

v 3rd person singular

scabbing

v pres p

scabbed

v past

scabbed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

scab /skæb/   n., v., scabbed, scab•bing. 
n. [countable]

1. Pathology the crusty, dry patch that forms over a wound.
2. a worker who takes a striking worker's place on the job.

v. [no object]

3. Pathology to become covered with a scab.
4. to act or work as a scab.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

scab  (skab), n., v., scabbed, scab•bing. 
n. 

1. Pathology the incrustation that forms over a sore or wound during healing.
2. Veterinary Diseases a mangy disease in animals, esp. sheep;
   scabies. Cf. itch (def. 10).
3. [Plant Pathol.]
   • Plant Diseases a disease of plants characterized by crustlike lesions on the affected parts and caused by a fungus or bacterium.
   • Plant Diseases one of these crustlike lesions.
4. a worker who refuses to join a labor union or to participate in a union strike, who takes a striking worker's place on the job, or the like.
5. Slang Terms a rascal or scoundrel.
6. Metallurgy
   • a projection or roughness on an ingot or casting from a defective mold.
   • a surface defect on an iron or steel piece resulting from the rolling in of scale.
7. Building [Carpentry.] a short, flat piece of wood used for various purposes, as binding two timbers butted together or strengthening a timber at a weak spot.

v.i. 

8. Pathology to become covered with a scab.
9. to act or work as a scab.

• Old Norse skabb scab, itch; compare shabby, shave
• 1200–50; 1800–10 for def. 4; Middle English

scab′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scab / skæb/ noun

1. the dried crusty surface of a healing skin wound or sore
2. a contagious disease of sheep, a form of mange, caused by a mite (Psoroptes communis)
3. a fungal disease of plants characterized by crusty spots on the fruits, leaves, etc
4. 
   Also called: blackleg a person who refuses to support a trade union's actions, esp one who replaces a worker who is on strike
5. (as modifier): scab labour
6. a despicable person

verb (scabs, scabbing, scabbed)(intransitive)

1. to become covered with a scab
2. to replace a striking worker

Etymology: Old English sceabb; related to Old Norse skabb, Latin scabiēs, Middle Low German schabbe scoundrel, German schäbig shabby