Scabbed

The past tense of the verb 'scab,' meaning to form a crust over a wound or injury as part of the healing process. It can also figuratively describe something becoming covered or encrusted with something undesirable, like neglect or poverty, or a person working during a strike. It implies a hardening and often a protective layer, both literally and figuratively.

Scabbed meaning with examples

• The scraped knee scabbed over after a few days, slowly healing and showing a pink new layer of skin underneath. She was careful not to pick at it, knowing the scab served an important protective function. Now the wound is healed.
• The neglected building scabbed with layers of grime and peeling paint. Years of weathering and disregard had left the once-grand facade looking derelict. The residents had forgotten about the building after the last tenant moved out.
• During the strike, some workers were willing to scabbed, going back to work for the company and breaking the picket line, despite the protests of their colleagues. They were labeled as traitors and the rift between the workers deepened.
• After a long period of drought, the riverbed scabbed and cracked, revealing the parched earth beneath. The exposed mud made it almost impossible to traverse and highlighted the severity of the lack of water. Eventually the rain came and revived the earth.