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coomb. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
coomb, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
coomb in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
coomb you have here. The definition of the word
coomb will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
coomb, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Middle English *comb, *cumb (> Scots cumb, coom (“tub, cistern”)), from Old English cumb (“a vessel; a liquid measure”), from Proto-Germanic *kumbaz (“bowl, vessel”). Compare German Kumpf (“bowl”).
Alternatively, perhaps from Latin cumba (“boat, tomb of stone”), from Ancient Greek κύμβη (kúmbē, “hollow of a vessel, cup, boat”).
Noun
coomb (plural coombs)
- An old English measure of corn (e.g., wheat), equal to half a quarter or 4 bushels.
1866, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, volume 1, page 168:It was equal to half a quarter, i.e. is identical with the coomb of the eastern counties.
1790 July 13, Thomas Jefferson, U.S. Secretary of State, Plan for establishing uniformity in the Coinage, Weights, and Measures of the United States," report communicated to the House of Representatives:Two kilderkins, or strikes, make a measure called a barrel, liquid, and a coomb, dry; this last term being ancient and little used.
Alternative forms
Etymology 2
From Old English cumb, from Proto-Brythonic *komm (compare Welsh cwm), from Proto-Celtic *kumbā.
Noun
coomb (plural coombs)
- Alternative spelling of combe
1896, Thomas Hardy, chapter 4, in The Mayor of Casterbridge:From the centre of each side of this tree-bound square ran avenues east, west, and south into the wide expanse of corn-land and coomb to the distance of a mile or so.
Anagrams