coomb

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -uːm

Etymology

Anglo-Saxon cumb a liquid measure, perhaps from Latin cumba boat, tomb of stone, from Ancient Greek hollow of a vessel, cup, boat, but compare German Kumpf bowl.

Noun

coomb (plural coombs)

1. An old English measure of corn (e.g., wheat), equal to half a quarter or 4 bushels. Also comb.
   • 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.

2. Alternative spelling of combe.
   • 1896, Tomas Hardy, chapter 4, 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

• combo