Definition of "scabrous" []

• Having or covered with scales or small projections and rough to the touch. See Synonyms at rough. (adjective)
• Difficult to handle; knotty: a scabrous situation. (adjective)
• Dealing with scandalous or salacious material: a scabrous novel. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Political and journalistic combatants who knew each other socially usually restrained themselves from the kind of scabrous public attack Americans now find so objectionable."
• "The "works on paper" are fascinating: weird and offhand enough to make you doubt they're from Bacon's hand, but also just the kind of scabrous visual notes an artist like Bacon -- who didn't draw much -- would have warmed up to paint with."
• "On a side note, never have I seen so many reviews spontaneously choose to use the word "scabrous" at once. link"