Definition

1. Noun:

   • A crust that forms over a healing wound or sore: A scab is a protective layer of dried blood, serum, and dead skin cells that covers a cut or abrasion during the healing process.
   • A worker who continues to work or who accepts employment to replace striking workers: In labor disputes, a scab is a person who works despite an ongoing strike, often viewed negatively by the strikers.

2. Verb:

   • To become covered with a scab: When a wound heals, it scabs over.
   • To act as a strikebreaker: To work or provide labor in place of workers who are on strike.

Examples

• Noun:

  • Don't pick at the scab on your knee; let it heal properly.
  • The union members called anyone who crossed the picket line a scab.

• Verb:

  • The cut on his arm will scab in a few days.
  • He was accused of scabbing when he took the job during the strike.

Advanced Usage

• "To scab over": This phrasal verb is commonly used to describe the process of a wound forming a protective crust.
  • The burn is starting to scab over, which is a good sign of healing.

Variants and Related Words

• Scabby (adj): Covered with or consisting of scabs.
  • The scabby wound was itchy.
• Strikebreaker (n): A synonym for the labor-related meaning of "scab."

Synonyms

• Crust (n): For the wound covering.
• Strikebreaker, blackleg (n, chiefly British): For the worker during a strike.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Scab over: To form a scab.
  • As it healed, the wound began to scab over.

Related Idioms

• "A scab on the conscience": A metaphorical expression for a persistent feeling of guilt or shame.
  • The memory of his betrayal was a scab on his conscience that never fully healed.

Noun

1. the crustlike surface of a healing skin lesion
2. someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike

Verb

1. take the place of work of someone on strike
2. form a scab
   • the wounds will eventually scab