Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Comb?

\Comb\ (?; 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. 2. An instrument for currying hairy animals, or cleansing and smoothing their coats; a currycomb. 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. 4. (Zo["o]l.) (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. 5. The curling crest of a wave. 6. The waxen framework forming the walls of the cells in which bees store their honey, eggs, etc.; honeycomb. ``A comb of honey.'' --Wyclif. When the bee doth leave her comb. --Shak. 7. The thumbpiece of the hammer of a gunlock, by which it may be cocked.
\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}. Comb down his hair; look, look! it stands upright. --Shak.
\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.
\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. A gradual rise the shelving combe Displayed. --Southey.
\Comb\, n. A dry measure. See {Coomb}.