COMBER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does comber mean? 

• COMBER (noun)
  The noun COMBER has 3 senses:

1. a person who separates and straightens the fibers of cotton or wool

2. a long curling sea wave

3. a machine that separates and straightens the fibers of cotton or wool

  Familiarity information: COMBER used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMBER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A person who separates and straightens the fibers of cotton or wool

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("comber" is a kind of...):

worker (a person who works at a specific occupation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A long curling sea wave

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("comber" is a kind of...):

moving ridge; wave (one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water))

Sense 3

Meaning:

A machine that separates and straightens the fibers of cotton or wool

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("comber" is a kind of...):

machine (any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks)

 Context examples 

At any moment they were liable to be overwhelmed by the hissing combers.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

No shipping masters or beach-combers over here, and he wants yer in his business, and he wants yer bad.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The deserted boat was in the trough of the sea, rolling drunkenly across each comber, its loose spritsail out at right angles to it and fluttering and flapping in the wind.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Hove to under this short canvas, our decks were comparatively free of water, while the Ghost bobbed and ducked amongst the combers like a cork.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)