Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “comb” come from?

Combination comes from Middle English combinacioun, from Proto-Celtic kumbā, from Proto-Indo-European ǵómbos, related to Latin con- meaning together.

comb (English): A toothed implement for grooming the hair or for...

Definitions

  1. A toothed implement for grooming the hair or for...

Ancestry of “comb”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcombinationThe act of combining, the state of being combined...
2Middle Englishcombinacioun—
3Old Frenchcombination—
4Late LatincombinatioA joining, two by two
5LatincombinoI combine, unite
6Latincom-allomorph of con-
7Latincon-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing...
8Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
9Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
10Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
11Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
12Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
13Middle Englishkyt—
14Germankitt—
15Old High Germankuti—
16Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
17Proto-Germanickweduzresin
18Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
19Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “comb”

  • coming
  • forthcoming
  • upcoming
  • oncoming
  • combing
  • shortcoming
  • currycomb
  • coaming
  • cockscomb
  • unforthcoming
  • outcoming
  • comblike
  • recomb
  • combover
  • uncombable
  • combless
  • backcomb
  • combability
  • forthcomingness
  • combeth
  • combable
  • forthcomingly
  • offcoming
  • combfish
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →