comb

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: cockscombcoxcombcombingransackcomb outdisentangle

WordNet 3.0

Noun (5)

  1. a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair
  2. the fleshy red crest on the head of the domestic fowl and other gallinaceous birdsSynonyms: cockscombcoxcomb
  3. any of several tools for straightening fibers
  4. ciliated comb-like swimming plate of a ctenophore
  5. the act of drawing a comb through hair“his hair needed a comb”Synonyms: combing

Verb (3)

  1. straighten with a comb“comb your hair”
  2. search thoroughly“They combed the area for the missing child”Synonyms: ransack
  3. smoothen and neaten with or as with a comb“comb your hair before dinner”“comb the wool”Synonyms: comb outdisentangle
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Comb \Comb\ (k[=o]m; 110), n. [AS. camb; akin to Sw., Dan., & D. kam, Icel. kambr, G. kamm, Gr. ? a grinder tooth, Skr. jambha tooth.]

1.An instrument with teeth, for straightening, cleansing, and adjusting the hair, or for keeping it in place. [1913 Webster]

2.An instrument for currying hairy animals, or cleansing and smoothing their coats; a currycomb. [1913 Webster]

3.(Manuf. & Mech.) (a) A toothed instrument used for separating and cleansing wool, flax, hair, etc. (b) The serrated vibratory doffing knife of a carding machine. (c) A former, commonly cone-shaped, used in hat manufacturing for hardening the soft fiber into a bat. (d) A tool with teeth, used for chasing screws on work in a lathe; a chaser. (e) The notched scale of a wire micrometer. (f) The collector of an electrical machine, usually resembling a comb. [1913 Webster]

4.(Zool.) (a) The naked fleshy crest or caruncle on the upper part of the bill or hood of a cock or other bird. It is usually red. (b) One of a pair of peculiar organs on the base of the abdomen of scorpions. [1913 Webster]

5.The curling crest of a wave. [1913 Webster]

6.The waxen framework forming the walls of the cells in which bees store their honey, eggs, etc.; honeycomb. "A comb of honey." --Wyclif. [1913 Webster]

When the bee doth leave her comb.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

7.The thumbpiece of the hammer of a gunlock, by which it may be cocked. [1913 Webster]

Comb \Comb\, n. A dry measure. See Coomb. [1913 Webster]
Comb \Comb\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Combed; p. pr. & vb. n. Combing.] To disentangle, cleanse, or adjust, with a comb; to lay smooth and straight with, or as with, a comb; as, to comb hair or wool. See under Combing. [1913 Webster]

Comb down his hair; look, look! it stands upright. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Comb \Comb\, v. i. [See Comb, n., 5.] (Naut.) To roll over, as the top or crest of a wave; to break with a white foam, as waves. [1913 Webster] Comb
Comb \Comb\, Combe \Combe\ (? or ?), n. [AS. comb, prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. cwm a dale, valley.] That unwatered portion of a valley which forms its continuation beyond and above the most elevated spring that issues into it. [Written also coombe.] --Buckland. [1913 Webster]

A gradual rise the shelving combe Displayed. --Southey. [1913 Webster]

Coomb \Coomb\, n. [AS. cumb a liquid measure, perh. from LL. cumba boat, tomb of stone, fr. Gr. ? hollow of a vessel, cup, boat, but cf. G. kumpf bowl.] A dry measure of four bushels, or half a quarter. [Written also comb.] [1913 Webster] Coomb
Advertisement