kemba hærurnar

Icelandic

Etymology

From kemba (“to comb”) + hærurnar (“the gray hairs”) the definite accusative plural of hæra (“gray hair”). Meaning "to comb gray hairs".

Verb

kemba hærurnar

1. (dated) to grow old, to age

   Að kemba ekki hærurnar.

   To die young.

Usage notes

• Often used with the adverb ekki (“not”) meaning "to comb no gray hairs" literally meaning to die so early so one gets not a chance to comb one's hair in old age; to "die early" or to "die in the prime of life".

Synonyms

• (to grow old): verða gamall, eldast