rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryscabrousOffensive
adjective

scabrous

SKAB-rus/ˈskæbrəs/

Rough and abrasive in texture.

The branch's scabrous bark has raised crusts and jagged flakes.

A close-up of a short, thick branch with coarse, scaly bark: raised crusts, jagged flakes, and deep irregular fissures make its rough surface immediately visible.
Etymology
scabrLatinrough, scaly
+ousLatinfull of

Latin “rough, scaly” supplied the image of an uneven, abrasive surface. Applied figuratively to speech or subject matter, that roughness became vulgarity or unpleasantness.

More examples

  • Moss fills the cracks in the rock's scabrous surface.
  • The tree's scabrous bark scrapes my arm.
  • The pot is smooth inside but scabrous on the outside.

Forms

scabrous

Similar words

rough
Describes uneven texture without necessarily suggesting a scraping feel.
abrasive
Emphasizes a surface's ability to scrape or wear things down.
coarse
Often describes large particles or thick fibers rather than sharp irregularities.