'Velvet crab' definitions:

Definition of 'Velvet crab'

From: GCIDE
  • Velvet \Vel"vet\, n. [OE. velouette, veluet, velwet; cf. OF. velluau, LL. velluetum, vellutum, It. velluto, Sp. velludo; all fr. (assumed) LL. villutus shaggy, fr L. villus shaggy hair; akin to vellus a fleece, and E. wool. See Wool, and cf. Villous.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. A silk fabric, having a short, close nap of erect threads. Inferior qualities are made with a silk pile on a cotton or linen back, or with other soft fibers such as nylon, acetate, or rayon. [1913 Webster + PJC]
  • 2. The soft and highly vascular deciduous skin which envelops and nourishes the antlers of deer during their rapid growth. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Something likened to velvet[1] in being soft or luxurious; as, a lawn of velvet. [PJC]
  • Cotton velvet, an imitation of velvet, made of cotton.
  • Velvet cork, the best kind of cork bark, supple, elastic, and not woody or porous.
  • Velvet crab (Zool.), a European crab (Portunus puber). When adult the black carapace is covered with a velvety pile. Called also lady crab, and velvet fiddler.
  • Velvet dock (Bot.), the common mullein.
  • Velvet duck. (Zool.) (a) A large European sea duck, or scoter ({Oidemia fusca}). The adult male is glossy, velvety black, with a white speculum on each wing, and a white patch behind each eye. (b) The American whitewinged scoter. See Scoter.
  • Velvet flower (Bot.), love-lies-bleeding. See under Love.
  • Velvet grass (Bot.), a tall grass (Holcus lanatus) with velvety stem and leaves; -- called also soft grass.
  • Velvet runner (Zool.), the water rail; -- so called from its quiet, stealthy manner of running. [Prov. Eng.]
  • Velvet scoter. (Zool.) Same as Velvet duck, above.
  • Velvet sponge. (Zool.) See under Sponge.
  • in velvet having a coating of velvet[2] over the antlers; in the annual stage where the antlers are still growing; -- of deer. [1913 Webster + PJC]