1. a hard covering of dried blood that forms over a wound as it heals
2. a worker who continues to work during a strike or takes the place of a striking worker
Usage: informal; often derogatory

1. to form a scab over a wound

Examples

• Don’t pick at the scab or it won’t heal properly.
• The cut on his knee formed a thick scab after a few days.
• The union members called him a scab for crossing the picket line.
• She was careful not to disturb the scab while washing her hands.
• The wound began to scab over within 24 hours.
• Workers who refused to strike were labeled as scabs by their colleagues.