Reading Theme:
Comb Definition, Usage & Examples Explained (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：hair grooming tool (comb)
comb
/kəʊm/
n./v.
a flat tool with a row of teeth along one side, used to make your hair neat and smooth.
hair grooming tool
➕
/hɛər ˈɡruːmɪŋ tuːl/
n./v.
A tool with a row of teeth used for arranging, styling, or detangling hair.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'camb' (comb), from Proto-Indo-European '*gembh-' meaning 'tooth, nail'.
💡 Mnemonic
A COMB has teeth to tidy hair, and we COMB through details with similar care.
📖 Example
Every morning, she uses a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle her wet hair.
Every morning, she uses a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle her wet hair.
🔗 Collocations
comb through (hair) – to carefully run a comb through hair to untangle it.
run a comb through – to use a comb quickly to tidy one's hair.
fine-tooth comb – a comb with teeth set close together for meticulous grooming or searching.
🔄 Synonyms
hairbrush (n.) – A brush with bristles, used for grooming hair.
rake (n.) – A farm tool with teeth; used figuratively for a coarse comb.
detangling comb (n.) – A specific type of comb designed to remove knots from hair without causing damage.
🚫 Antonyms
dishevel (v.) – To make (hair or clothing) untidy.
📖 Cultural Story
The Old English word 'camb' is related to Old High German 'kamb' and Greek 'gomphos' (molar, peg), all sharing the core idea of 'teeth'. This visual of parallel teeth evolved into the tool's name and the verb meaning 'to search meticulously'.
Meaning 2：search meticulously (comb)
comb
/kəʊm/
n./v.
to search a place very carefully and thoroughly in order to find something.
search meticulously
➕
/sɜːrtʃ məˈtɪkjələsli/
n./v.
To search a place or thing very carefully and thoroughly in order to find something.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Volunteers combed the entire beach for any lost belongings after the concert.
Volunteers combed the entire beach for any lost belongings after the concert.
🔗 Collocations
comb through – to examine or search something very thoroughly.
comb the area for – to search a specific location meticulously in order to find something.
comb out – to search thoroughly and remove unwanted elements.
🔄 Synonyms
scour (v.) – To search an area or place thoroughly in order to find something.
rake (v.) – To search through (something) very carefully.
sift through (v.) – To examine something carefully in order to find what you are looking for.
🚫 Antonyms
overlook (v.) – To fail to notice or consider something.
🌱 Derivatives
combing (n./v.) – The act of searching meticulously.
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