_Meaning of Crabis_ (Vol. v., p. 165.).--In quoting the note to Lord
Lindsay's _Christian Art_, extracted from MS. _Collectanea_ of Sir David
Lindsay of the Mount, and illustrating a story of the Pelican, your
correspondent F. W. I. wishes for a translation of the word _crabis_,
which Sir David makes use of in describing the undutiful behaviour of
the young pelicans towards their paternal parent.
The old Scotch verb, _crab_, signified to tease, vex, annoy. As an
active verb it is now obsolete, but it is still in use, at least its
participles are in a passive sense. I have frequently heard _crabbing_
used to describe the state of mind of one out of humour or sulking.
_Crabbed_ has long been an English word, and as such has its place in
Johnson's _Dictionary_. It is not in such common use to the south as it
is to the north of the Tweed; but from the Land's End to
John-o'-Groat's, it is used to designate a chronic form of the same
failing, which, in its temporary form, is described above as "crabbing."
It is, moreover, applied to man's works as well as to his temper. A
_crabbed hand_ and a _crabbed style_ of writing are expressions of
every-day use in Scotland, and are eminently descriptive of the effect
of such writing upon the temper of the reader.