First Known Use: 1646
Dictionary
scabrous
adjective sca·brous \ˈska-brəs also ˈskā-\
: having a rough surface
: referring to sex in a rude or shocking way
Full Definition of SCABROUS
2
: rough to the touch: as a : having small raised dots, scales, or points <a scabrous leaf> b : covered with raised, roughened, or unwholesome patches <scabrous paint> <scabrous skin>
3
— sca·brous·ly adverb
— sca·brous·ness noun
See scabrous defined for English-language learners
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Origin of SCABROUS
Latin scabr-, scaber rough, scurfy; akin to Latin scabere to scratch — more at scab
Synonym Discussion of SCABROUS
rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even. rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface <a rough wooden board>. harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch <a harsh fabric that chafes the skin>. uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality <an old house with uneven floors>. rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel <a rugged landscape>. scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface <a scabrous leaf>.
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