comb
    n 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 birds [syn: comb, cockscomb,
       coxcomb]
    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" [syn: comb, combing]
    v 1: straighten with a comb; "comb your hair"
    2: search thoroughly; "They combed the area for the missing
       child" [syn: comb, ransack]
    3: smoothen and neaten with or as with a comb; "comb your hair
       before dinner"; "comb the wool" [syn: comb, comb out,
       disentangle]

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.
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   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.
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   6. The waxen framework forming the walls of the cells in
      which bees store their honey, eggs, etc.; honeycomb. "A
      comb of honey." --Wyclif.
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            When the bee doth leave her comb.     --Shak.
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   7. The thumbpiece of the hammer of a gunlock, by which it may
      be cocked.
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Comb \Comb\, n.
   A dry measure. See Coomb.
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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.
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         Comb down his hair; look, look! it stands upright.
                                                  --Shak.
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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.
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         A gradual rise the shelving combe
         Displayed.                               --Southey.
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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