[f. COMB v.1]
1. The action of the verb COMB.
1575. Fenton, Gold. Epist. (1577), 139. To haue their haires fall without combing.
1606. Surfl., Country Farm, 51. Of spinning and combing of wooll.
1854. E. Wilson, Healthy Skin, xvii. 270. The groom knows full well that by plenty of combing and brushing he can not only produce a fine coat, but add very considerably to the healthy condition of the animal [horse].
2. concr. (usually pl.) The produce of combing; hairs combed off; the artificial borders, etc., for which these are saved.
1656. Artif. Handsom., 44. The baldnesse, thinnesse, and … deformity of their haire, is usually supplyed by borders and combings. Ibid., 59. She laid out the combings or cuttings of her own or others more youthfull haire.
1727. Swift, Gulliver, II. vi. 145. I desired the queen’s woman to save for me the combings of her majesty’s hair.
1880. W. S. Gilbert, Patience. Compelled at last, in life’s uncertain gloamings, To wreathe her wrinkled brow with well saved ‘combings.’
3. attrib. and Comb., as combing (i.e., wool-combing) trade; † combing-cloth, -kerchief, a cloth placed over the shoulders while the hair is combed; combing-machine, a machine for combing wool; combing-wool, long wool adapted for combing and spinning into worsted.
1578. in T. Thomson, Inventories (1815), 231. (Jam.). Huidis, quaffis … naipkynis, camyng claithis. Ibid., 235. (Jam.). Ane camyng curche of the same.
1670–98. Lassels, Voy. Italy, I. 41. Some of the townsmen who saw him putting on that combing-cloth … thinking it had been a priest putting on the amice.
1709. Lond. Gaz., No. 4585/4. Places … where the Combing Trade is followed.
1757. Dyer, Fleece, II. Argt. The wool of our island peculiarly excellent is the combing wool.
1882. Pall Mall G., 20 June, 5/2. The better grades of combing merino.
1883. Leisure Hour, 243/2. ‘Combing’ wool is longer, finer, and more silky than ‘clothing.’
