Crabbed

Pronunciation: /kræbd/

Definitions of crabbed

adjective having a crab-like or cross-grained quality; difficult or irritable in mood or behavior

Example Sentences

A1 The crabbed handwriting was difficult to read.

A2 She had a crabbed expression on her face when she was upset.

B1 The crabbed old man lived alone in a small cottage by the sea.

B2 Despite his crabbed demeanor, he was actually quite friendly once you got to know him.

C1 The professor's crabbed attitude towards his students made it difficult for them to approach him.

C2 Her crabbed personality made it challenging for her to make friends.

Examples of crabbed in a Sentence

formal The professor's crabbed handwriting made it difficult for the students to read his notes.

informal I can't read this crabbed handwriting, it's so messy!

slang Why is your writing so crabbed? Can't you write more neatly?

figurative Her crabbed attitude towards new ideas hindered the team's progress.

Grammatical Forms of crabbed

• past tense: crabbed
• plural: crabbed
• comparative: more crabbed
• superlative: most crabbed
• present tense: crab
• future tense: will crab
• perfect tense: have crabbed
• continuous tense: is crabbing
• singular: crabbed
• positive degree: crabbed
• infinitive: to crab
• gerund: crabbing
• participle: crabbing

Origin and Evolution of crabbed

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old Norse

Story behind the word: The word 'crabbed' originated from Middle English, derived from the Old Norse word 'krabbinn' meaning 'crooked'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'crabbed' evolved from 'crooked' to 'difficult, stubborn, or ill-tempered'.