crabbed
UK: kræbd | US: kræbd
adj. 1. (of handwriting) cramped, illegible, or difficult to read.
adj. 2. (of a person or behavior) irritable, bad-tempered, or peevish.
The word "crabbed" derives from the noun "crab," referring to the crustacean known for its sideways movement and perceived irritability. The figurative sense of "ill-tempered" emerged in Middle English, likening human irritability to a crab's pinching or aggressive behavior. The suffix "-ed" transforms it into an adjective, originally describing handwriting as "twisted like a crab's legs" (15th century), later extending to temperament.
His crabbed handwriting was nearly impossible to decipher.
The professor's crabbed remarks discouraged questions.
She grew crabbed with age, snapping at trivial inconveniences.
The manuscript's crabbed script required expert transcription.
Avoid crabbed criticism; it stifles creativity.