Comb

Comb, n. [AS. camb; akin to Sw., Dan., & D. kam, Icel. kambr, G. kamm, Gr. γομφίος 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. (Zoöl.) (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, 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.