scab

n. a hard, dry layer of blood that forms over a cut or wound while it is healing.

n. a protective crust of dried blood and serum that forms over a wound or pustule during the healing process.

“Try not to pick at the scab on your knee or it might leave a scar.”

“The physician noted that a healthy scab had formed over the incision, indicating that the primary stage of tissue repair was underway.”

n. a person who continues to work when their coworkers are on strike, or who takes the job of a striker.

n. a derogatory term for a worker who refuses to join a strike or who takes the place of a striking employee.

“The protesters shouted at the workers who crossed the line, calling them scabs.”

“Tensions escalated at the factory gates as union members confronted the replacement workers, whom they branded as scabs for undermining the collective bargaining effort.”

Informal · Slang

n. a disease that causes rough, dark spots on the skin of fruits or vegetables like potatoes and apples.

n. any of several fungal or bacterial diseases of plants characterized by crust-like lesions on the surface of fruit or tubers.

“The farmer had to throw away half the potato crop because of a bad case of scab.”

“Agricultural scientists are developing new varieties of apple that are genetically resistant to the common scab fungus.”

Technical

v. to ask someone to give you something for free, like a cigarette or some money.

v. to obtain something by begging or cadging from others.

“He managed to scab a few dollars off his brother to buy a coffee.”

“In the local pub, he was notorious for trying to scab drinks from unsuspecting tourists.”

British English · Informal · Slang · Dialect