The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 300
Co"ma , n. [L., hair, fr. Gr. <?/.] 1. (Astron.) The envelope of a comet; a nebulous covering, which surrounds the nucleus or body of a comet.
2. (Bot.) A tuft or bunch, -- as the assemblage of branches forming the head of a tree; or a cluster of brachts when empty and terminating the inflorescence of a plant; or a tuft of long hairs on certain seeds.
Coma Berenices (<?/) [L.] (Astron.) , a small constellation north of Virgo; -- called also Berenice's Hair .
Comanches <Xpage=281>
Co*man"ches (? ∨ ?) , n. pl. ; sing. Comanche (? ∨ ?) . (Ethnol.) A warlike, savage, and nomadic tribe of the Shoshone family of Indians, inhabiting Mexico and the adjacent parts of the United States; -- called also Paducahs . They are noted for plundering and cruelty.
Comart <Xpage=281>
Co"mart` (?) , n. A covenant. [Obs.]
Shak.
Comate <Xpage=281>
Co"mate (?; 277) , a. [L. comatus , fr. comare to clothe with hair, fr. coma hair.] Encompassed with a coma, or bushy appearance, like hair; hairy.
Co-mate <Xpage=281>
Co"-mate` (?) , n. [Pref. co- + mate .] A companion.
Shak.
Comatose <Xpage=281>
Co"ma*tose` (? ∨ ?; 277) , a. [From Coma lethargy.] Relating to, or resembling, coma; drowsy; lethargic; as, comatose sleep; comatose fever.
Comatons <Xpage=281>
Co"ma*tons (?) , a. Comatose.
Comatula <Xpage=281>
Co*mat"u*la (?; 135) , n. [NL., fr. L. comatulus having hair neatly curled, dim. fr. coma hair.] (Zo\'94l.) A crinoid of the genus Antedon and related genera. When young they are fixed by a stem. When adult they become detached and cling to seaweeds, etc., by their dorsal cirri; -- called also feather stars .
Comatulid <Xpage=281>
Co*mat"u*lid (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Any crinoid of the genus Antedon or allied genera.
Comb <Xpage=281>
Comb (?; 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.
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. <-- "former" in (c) is a noun. -->
4. (Zo\'94l.) (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 <Xpage=281>
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 <Xpage=281>
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 <Xpage=281>
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 <Xpage=281>
Comb , n. A dry measure. See Coomb .
Combat <Xpage=281>
Com"bat (? ∨ ?; 277) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Combated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Combating .] [F. combattre ; pref. com- + battre to beat, fr. L. battuere to strike. See Batter .] To struggle or contend, as with an opposing force; to fight.
To combat with a blind man I disdain. Milton.
After the fall of the republic, the Romans combated only for the choice of masters. Gibbon.
Combat <Xpage=281>
Com"bat , v. t. To fight with; to oppose by force, argument, etc.; to contend against; to resist.
When he the ambitious Norway combated . Shak.
And combated in silence all these reasons. Milton.
Minds combat minds, repelling and repelled. Goldsmith.
Syn. -- To fight against; resist; oppose; withstand; oppugn; antagonize; repel; resent.
Combat <Xpage=281>
Com"bat , n. [Cf. F. combat .] 1. A fight; a contest of violence; a struggle for supremacy.
My courage try by combat , if thou dar'st. Shak.
The noble combat that 'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina. Shak.
2. (Mil.) An engagement of no great magnitude; or one in which the parties engaged are not armies.
Single combat , one in which a single combatant meets a single opponent, as in the case of David and Goliath; also a duel.
Syn. -- A battle; engagement; conflict; contest; contention; struggle; fight, strife. See Battle , Contest .
Combatable <Xpage=281>
Com"bat*a*ble (? ∨ ?) , a. [Cf. F. combattable .] Such as can be, or is liable to be, combated; as, combatable foes, evils, or arguments .
Combatant <Xpage=281>
Com"bat*ant (?) , a. [F. combattant , p. pr.] Contending; disposed to contend.
B. Jonson.
Combatant <Xpage=281>
Com"bat*ant , n. [F. combattant .] One who engages in combat. "The mighty combatants ."
Milton.
A controversy which long survived the original combatants . Macaulay
Combater <Xpage=281>
Com"bat*er (?) , n. One who combats.
Sherwood.
Combative <Xpage=281>
Com"bat*ive (?) or (<?/), a. Disposed to engage in combat; pugnacious.
Combativeness <Xpage=281>
Com"bat*ive*ness , n. 1. The quality of being combative; propensity to contend or to quarrel.
2. (Phren.) A cranial development supposed to indicate a combative disposition.
Combattant <Xpage=281>
Com`bat`tant" (?) , a. [F.] (Her.) In the position of fighting; -- said of two lions set face to face, each rampant.
Combbroach <Xpage=281>
Comb"broach` (?) , n. A tooth of a wool comb. [Written also combrouch .]
Combe <Xpage=281>
Combe (? ∨ ?) , n. See Comb .
Comber <Xpage=281>
Comb"er (?) , n. 1. One who combs; one whose occupation it is to comb wool, flax, etc. Also, a machine for combing wool, flax, etc.
2. A long, curling wave.
Comber <Xpage=281>
Com"ber (?) , v. t. To cumber. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Comber <Xpage=281>
Com"ber , n. Encumbrance. [Obs.]
Comber <Xpage=281>
Com"ber (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The cabrilla. Also, a name applied to a species of wrasse. [Prov. Eng.]
Combinable <Xpage=281>
Com*bin"a*ble (?) , a. [Cf. F. combinable .] Capable of combinding; consistent with. [R.]
M. Arnold.
-- Com*bin"a*ble*ness , n.
Combinate <Xpage=281>
Com"bi*nate (?) , a. [LL. combinatus , p. p.] United; joined; betrothed. [R.]
<page="282"> Page 282
Combination <Xpage=282>
Com`bi*na"tion (?) , n. [LL. combinatio . See Combine .] 1. The act or process of combining or uniting persons and things.
Making new compounds by new combinations . Boyle.
A solemn combination shall be made Of our dear souls. Shak.
2. The result of combining or uniting; union of persons or things; esp. a union or alliance of persons or states to effect some purpose; -- usually in a bad sense.
A combination of the most powerful men in Rome who had conspired my ruin. Melmoth.
3. (Chem.) The act or process of uniting by chemical affinity, by which substances unite with each other in definite proportions by weight to form distinct compounds.
4. pl. (Math.) The different arrangements of a number of objects, as letters, into groups.
&hand; In combinations no regard is paid to the order in which the objects are arranged in each group, while in variations and permutations this order is respected.
Brande & C.
Combination car , a railroad car containing two or more compartments used for different purposes. [U. S.] -- Combination lock , a lock in which the mechanism is controlled by means of a movable dial (sometimes by several dials or rings) inscribed with letters or other characters. The bolt of the lock can not be operated until after the dial has been so turned as to combine the characters in a certain order or succession. -- Combination room , in the University of Cambridge, Eng., a room into which the fellows withdraw after dinner, for wine, dessert, and conversation. -- Combination by volume (Chem.) , the act, process, or ratio by which gaseous elements and compounds unite in definite proportions by volume to form distinct compounds. -- Combination by weight (Chem.) , the act, process, or ratio, in which substances unite in proportions by weight, relatively fixed and exact, to form distinct compounds. See Law of definite proportions , under Definite .
Syn. -- Cabal; alliance; association; league; union; confederacy; coalition; conspiracy. See Cabal .
Combine <Xpage=282>
Com*bine" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Combined (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Combining .] [LL. combinare , combinatum ; L. com- + binus , pl. bini , two and two, double: cf. F. combiner . See Binary .] 1. To unite or join; to link closely together; to bring into harmonious union; to cause or unite so as to form a homogeneous, as by chemical union.
So fitly them in pairs thou hast combined . Milton.
Friendship is the which really combines mankind. Dr. H. More.
And all combined , save what thou must combine By holy marriage. Shak.
Earthly sounds, though sweet and well combined . Cowper.
2. To bind; to hold by a moral tie. [Obs.]
I am combined by a sacred vow. Shak.
Combine <Xpage=282>
Com*bine" , v. i. 1. To form a union; to agree; to coalesce; to confederate.
You with your foes combine , And seem your own destruction to design Dryden.
So sweet did harp and voice combine . Sir W. Scott.
2. To unite by affinity or natural attraction; as, two substances, which will not combine of themselves, may be made to combine by the intervention of a third .
3. (Card Playing) In the game of casino, to play a card which will take two or more cards whose aggregate number of pips equals those of the card played.
Combining weight (Chem.) , that proportional weight, usually referred to hydrogen as a standard, and for each element fixed and exact, by which an element unites with another to form a distinct compound. The combining weights either are identical with, or are multiples or multiples of, the atomic weight. See Atomic weight , under Atomic , a.
Combined <Xpage=282>
Com*bined" (?) , a. United closely; confederated; chemically united.
Combinedly <Xpage=282>
Com*bin"ed*ly (?) , adv. In combination or co\'94peration ; jointly .
Combiner <Xpage=282>
Com*bin"er (?) , n. One who, or that which, combines.
Combing <Xpage=282>
Comb"ing (?) , n. 1. The act or process of using a comb or a number of combs; as, the combing of one's hair; the combing of wool.
&hand; The process of combing is used in straightening wool of long staple; short wool is carded .
2. pl. (a) That which is caught or collected with a comb, as loose, tangled hair. (b) Hair arranged to be worn on the head.
The baldness, thinness, and . . . deformity of their hair is supplied by borders and combings . Jer. Taylor.
(c) (Naut.) See Coamings .
Combing machine (Textile Manuf.) , a machine for combing wool, flax, cotton, etc., and separating the longer and more valuable fiber from the shorter. See also Carding machine , under Carding .
Combless <Xpage=282>
Comb"less , a. Without a comb or crest; as, a combless ceck .
Comboloio <Xpage=282>
Com`bo*lo"io (?) , n. A Mohammedan rosary, consisting of ninety-nine beads.
Byron.
Comb-shaped <Xpage=282>
Comb"-shaped` (?) , a. (Bot.) Pectinate.
Combust <Xpage=282>
Com*bust" (?) , a. [L. combustus , p. p. of comburere to burn up; com- + burere (only in comp.), of uncertian origin; cf. bustum fineral pyre, prurire to itch, pruna a live coal, Gr. <?/ firebrand, Skr. plush to burn.] 1. Burnt; consumed. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. (Astron.) So near the sun as to be obscured or eclipsed by his light, as the moon or planets when not more than eight degrees and a half from the sun. [Obs.]
Planets that are oft combust . Milton.
Combustibility <Xpage=282>
Com*bus`ti*bil"i*ty (?) , n. The quality of being combustible.
Combustible <Xpage=282>
Com*bus"ti*ble (?) , a. [Cf. F. combustble .] 1. Capable of taking fire and burning; apt to catch fire; inflammable.
Sin is to the soul like fire to combustible matter. South.
2. Ea<?/ily kindled or excited; quick; fiery; irascible.
Arnold was a combustible character. W. Irving.
Combustible <Xpage=282>
Com*bus"ti*ble (?) , n. A substance that may bee set on fire, or which is liable to take fire and burn.
All such combustibles as are cheap enough for common use go under the name of fuel. Ure.
Combustibleness <Xpage=282>
Com*bus"ti*ble*ness , n. Combustibility.
Combustion <Xpage=282>
Com*bus"tion (?; 106) , n. [L. combustio : cf. F. combustion .] 1. The state of burning.
2. (Chem.) The combination of a combustible with a supporter of combustion, producing heat, and sometimes both light and heat.
Combustion results is common cases from the mutual chemical action and reaction of the combustible and the oxygen of the atmosphere, whereby a new compound is formed. Ure.
Supporter of combustion (Chem.) , a gas as oxygen, the combination of which with a combustible, as coal, constitutes combustion.
3. Violent agitation; confusion; tumult. [Obs.]
There [were] great combustions and divisions among the heads of the university. Mede.
But say from whence this new combustion springs. Dryden.
Combustious <Xpage=282>
Com*bus"tious (?) , a. Inflammable. [Obs.]
Shak.
Come <Xpage=282>
Come (?) , v. i. [ imp. Came (?) ; p. p. Come (?) ; p. pr & vb. n. Coming .] [OE. cumen , comen , AS. cuman ; akin to OS. kuman , D. komen , OHG. queman , G. kommen , Icel. koma , Sw. komma , Dan. komme , Goth. giman , L. venire ( gvenire ), Gr. <?/ to go, Skr. gam . \'fb23. Cf. Base , n. , Convene , Adventure .] 1. To move hitherward; to draw near; to approach the speaker, or some place or person indicated; -- opposed to go .
Look, who comes yonder? Shak.
I did not come to curse thee. Tennyson.
2. To complete a movement toward a place; to arrive.
When we came to Rome. Acts xxviii. 16.
Lately come from Italy. Acts vviii. 2.
3. To approach or arrive, as if by a journey or form a distance. "Thy kingdom come ."
Matt. vi. 10.
The hour is comming , and now is. John. v. 25.
So quik bright things come to confusion. Shak.
4. To approach or arrive, as the result of a cause, or of the act of another.
From whence come wars? James iv. 1.
Both riches and honor come of thee! Chron. xxix. 12.
5. To arrive in sight; to be manifest; to appear.
Then butter does refuse to come . Hudibras.
6. To get to be, as the result of change or progress; -- with a predicate; as, to come united .
How come you thus estranged? Shak.
How come her eyes so bright? Shak.
&hand; Am come , is come , etc., are frequently used instead of have come , has come , etc., esp. in poetry. The verb to be gives adjectival significance to the participle as expressing a state or condition of the subject, while the auxiliary have expresses simply the completion of the action signified by the verb.
Think not that I am come to destroy. Matt. v. 17.
We are come off like Romans. Shak.
The melancholy days are come , the saddest of the year. Bryant.
Come may properly be used (instead of go ) in speaking of a movement hence, or away, when there is reference to an approach to the person addressed; as, I shall come home next week; he will come to your house to-day. It is used with other verbs almost as an auxiliary, indicative of approach to the action or state expressed by the verb; as, how came you to do it? Come is used colloquially, with reference to a definite future time approaching, without an auxilliary; as, it will be two years, come next Christmas; i. e. , when Christmas shall come.
They were cried In meeting, come next Sunday. Lowell.