lobster
UK: ˈlɒbstə | US: ˈlɑːbstər
n. a large marine crustacean with a hard shell, two large claws, and eight legs, widely caught for food.
n. (informal) a clumsy or awkward person.
The word "lobster" traces back to Old English loppestre, derived from loppe (meaning "spider" or "heavy/clumsy creature") + the suffix -estre (agent noun suffix). The association with spiders likely arose from the lobster's jointed legs, resembling arachnids. Over time, loppestre evolved into Middle English lobster, retaining its reference to the crustacean. The informal meaning ("clumsy person") emerged later, reflecting the animal's awkward movement on land.
The fisherman caught a large lobster in his trap.
She ordered grilled lobster with butter at the seaside restaurant.
He moved like a lobster out of water, tripping over his own feet.
Lobsters molt their shells as they grow.
The biologist studied the behavior of lobsters in their natural habitat.