from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Combing \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.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The process of combing is used in straightening wool of
long staple; short wool is carded.
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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.
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The baldness, thinness, and . . . deformity of
their hair is supplied by borders and combings.
--Jer. Taylor.
(c) (Naut.) See {Coamings}.
[1913 Webster]
{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}.
[1913 Webster]