crumb Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a very small quantity of something
    • he gave only a crumb of information about his plans
    • there were few crumbs of comfort in the report
  2. noun a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
    git; stinker; so-and-so; scum bag; rat; rotter; puke; dirty dog; bum; skunk; stinkpot; lowlife.
    • only a rotter would do that
    • kill the rat
    • throw the bum out
    • you cowardly little pukes!
    • the British call a contemptible person a `git'
  3. noun small piece of e.g. bread or cake
  4. verb coat with bread crumbs
    • crumb a cutlet
  5. verb break into crumbs
  6. verb remove crumbs from
    • crumb the table

WordNet

Crumb noun
Etymology
AS. cruma, akin to D. kruim, G. krume; cf. G. krauen to scratch, claw.
Definitions
  1. A small fragment or piece; especially, a small piece of bread or other food, broken or cut off.
    Desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Luke xvi. 21.
  2. Fig.: A little; a bit; as, a crumb of comfort.
  3. The soft part of bread.
    Dust unto dust, what must be, must; If you can't get crumb, you'd best eat crust. Old Song.
Crumb transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Crumbed present participle & verbal noun Crumbing
Definitions
  1. To break into crumbs or small pieces with the fingers; as, to crumb bread. Written also crum.

Webster 1913