a. [ L. scabrosus, fr. scaber rough: cf. F. scabreux. ] 1. Rough to the touch, like a file; having small raised dots, scales, or points; scabby; scurfy; scaly. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Fig.: Harsh; unmusical. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
His verse is scabrous and hobbling. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality of being scabrous. [ 1913 Webster ]