combatively 
combatively (kom'- or kum'ba-tiv-li), adv. In 
a combative manner ; pugnaciously. 
combativeness (kom'- or kum'ba-tiv-nes), w. 
The character or quality of being combative ; 
disposition to contend or fight ; pugnacity. By 
phrenologists the word is used to designate one 
of the propensities. See cut under phrenology. 
comb-bearer (kom'bar"er), n. [A translation 
of NL. ctenophorum : see ctenophore."] A cteno- 
phore; a comb-jelly; one of the Ctcttophora. 
Closely related to idyia is pleurobrachia, one of the com- 
monest of the comb-bearers, or Ctenophorse, on the north- 
ern coast of the United States. Pop. Set. Mo., XIII. 321. 
comb-broach (kom'broch), n. A tooth of a 
comb with which wool is dressed. 
comb-brush (kom'brush), n. 1. A brush used 
to clean combs. 2f. A lady's-maid, or under 
lady's-maid. [Eng.j 
The maid who at present attended on Sophia was recom- 
mended by Lady Bellaston, with whom she had lived for 
some time, in the capacity of a comb-bnuh. 
Fielding, Tom Jones, xvii. 8. 
comb-cap (kom ' kap), n. In armor, a morion 
with a comb. This, like other steel caps, had com- 
monly a stuffed or quilted cap worn beneath it to prevent 
direct contact with the head. 
Good combe-caps for their heads, well-lined with quilted- 
caps. Grose, Military Antiquities, 1. 128. 
combe, . See comb 3 . 
combed (komd), a. [< cowH, f., + -P.] Hav- 
ing a comb or crest. 
And had for his crest a cock argent, 
Combed and wattled gules. Longfellow. 
combel (kom'bel), n. In her., same &s fillet. 
comber 1 (ko'mer), n. [< comft 1 + -er 1 .] 1. 
One who combs ; one whose occupation is the 
combing of wool, etc. 2. A long curling wave. 
We were congratulating ourselves upon getting off dry, 
when a great comber broke fore and aft the boat, and wet 
us through and through. 
R. H. Dana, Jr., Before the Mast, p. 153. 
C0mber 2 t, *> and n. An obsolete form of cum- 
ber. 
comber 3 (kom'ber), . [E. dial. (Cornwall). The 
resemblance to scomber is accidental.] 1. The 
Serranus cabrilla, also called smooth serranus 
and gaper, a fish of the sea-perch family, about 
a foot long, common on the southern coast of 
England. 2. A species of wrasse or Labriis 
(L. mactilattis, var. comber), with a white lateral 
band from the eye to the caudal fin, found on 
tho Cornish coast. Also called comber wrasse. 
COmberoust, An obsolete form of cumbrous. 
comb-frame (kom'fram), n. A square wooden 
frame fitted to a beehive, in which the bees may 
construct the comb, and by which the comb can 
easily be removed from the hive. 
comb-honey (kom'hun'i), n. Honey in or with 
the comb ; unstrained honey. 
The bulk of this, however, was sent in jars either as pure 
extracted honey or as comb-honey that is, honey bottled 
with portions of broken comb remaining in it. 
London Times. 
combinable (kpm-bi'na-bl), a. [< combine, r., 
+ -able ; = F. combinab'te, etc.] Capable of com- 
bining or of being combined ; suitable for com- 
bining. 
Pleasures are very containable both with business and 
study. Chesterfield. 
COmbinableness (kom-bi'na-bl-nes), n. The 
quality of being combinable ; suitableness for 
combining. [Bare.] 
combinant (kom-bi'nant), n. [< LL. combi- 
nan(t-)s, ppr. of combinare, combine: see com- 
bine, ?.] In math., a function of the quanti- 
ties appearing in a given set of functions which 
remains unaltered as well for linear substitu- 
tions impressed upon the variables as for linear 
combinations of the functions themselves (Syl- 
vester, 1853); a covariant which remains unal- 
tered when each quantic is replaced by a linear 
function of all the quantics (CayJey, 1856). 
combinatet (kom'bi-nat), a. [< LL. combina- 
tus, pp. of combinare, combine : see combine, .] 
Espoused; betrothed. [Rare.] 
There she lost a noble and renowned brother ; . . . with 
him . . . her marriage-dowry ; with both her combiimte 
husband. Shale., M. for M., iii. 1. 
combination (kom-bi-na'shon), n. [= F. com- 
binaison = Sp. combination " = Pg. combinacuo 
= It. combinazione, < ML. combinatio(n-), < LL. 
combinare, pp. combinatus, combine: see com- 
bine, v.] 1. The act of uniting in a whole, or 
the state of being so united; a coming to- 
gether so as to form a group, sum, product, 
etc. ; especially, the union of related parts in 
a complex whole : as, a combination of wheels 
and springs in a watch; a combination of ideas; 
a combination of circumstances. 
1118 
All this is but deceit, mere trifles forg'd 
By combination to defeat the process 
of justice. Beau, and FL, Laws of Candy, v. 1. 
2. The whole or complex thus formed; the 
product of combining: as, a soft combination 
of stops in organ-playing. 
It is this glorious pile of mountains which gives to 
(iranada that combination of delights so rare in a South- 
ern city. Iri l in<i, Alhnmbra, p. 121. 
Specifically 3. The union or association of 
two or more persons or parties for the attain- 
ment of some common end; a league: as, a po- 
litical or a criminal combination ; success is 
possible only through combination. 
The Indians and they ... by a generall combination in 
one day plotted to subuert the whole Colony. 
Quoted in Capt. John Smith's True Travels, II. 70. 
4. In chcm., chemical union ; the production of 
a chemical compound. 5. In math., the union 
of a number of individuals in different groups, 
each containing a certain number of the in- 
dividuals. Thus, the number of combinations of four 
figures taking two together is six (12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 34). 
Aggregate combination. See ayi/rei/ate. Chemical 
combination, see chemical. Combination borders, 
in pn'titinif, types of ornamental designs, of varied char- 
acter, intended to be combined or composed so as to form 
a complete design on a larger scale. Combination lock. 
See lock. Combination pedal, in organs, a pedal which 
draws or retires several stops at once. It is single-acting 
when it only operates to add to or to subtract from the stops 
already drawn, and double-acting when it both adds to 
and subtracts from the stops already drawn, so as always 
to produce a given combination. Combination plane, 
a plane having a guide which can be changed from one 
side to the other, or adjusted vertically, as required by 
the nature of the work. Combination-room, in the 
University of Cambridge, a room adjoining the hall, into 
which the fellows withdraw after dinner, for wine, dessert, 
and conversation. Combination tone. Same as com- 
binational tone (which see, under tone}. Commutative 
combination. See row mutative. Consecutive com- 
bination, in chem., a term applied to the chemical pro- 
cess by which a series of compounds are formed from 
one another. Thus, by an addition of soda to dihydro- 
gen sodium phosphate, dispdium hydrogen phosphate is 
formed, and by further addition of soda to this compound 
trisodium phosphate is produced. In each case one atom 
of basic hydrogen is replaced by the alkali. Heat of 
combination. See heat. Laws of chemical com- 
bination, the laws which regulate the union of substances 
by chemical affinity. See chemical and equivalent. =Syn. 
3. I'arty, Faction, etc. (see cabali), alliance, league, set, 
clique, coalition, conspiracy, confederation. 
combinational (kom-bi-na'shqn-al), a. [< com- 
bination + -al.] Of or pertaining to a combi- 
nation or to the act of combining ; having the 
quality of combining Combinational tone. See 
tone. 
combinative (kqm-bi'na-tiv), a. [< combinate 
+ -ive.] Tending to combine; uniting: in 
math., applied to a covariant which is equally 
a covariant when for any of the quantics is 
substituted a linear function of them. Also 
combinatory. 
combinatorial (kqm-bl-na-to'ri-al), . . [< com- 
binatory + -al.] Concerned with combinations. 
Combinatorial analysis, in math., a method of treat- 
ing problems in the calculus by reducing them to problems 
in combinations. Combinatorial mathematician, one 
who has a preference for the combinatorial analysis. 
combinatory (kom-bi'na-to-ri), a. [< com- 
binate + -ory; = F. coibinatoire.~\ Same as 
combinative. Combinatory Imagination, that sort 
of fancy which brings into relation objects experienced 
independently. 
Combine (kom-bin'), v. ; pret. and pp. combined, 
ppr. combining. [< ME. combinen = F. com- 
biner = Sp. Pg. combinar = It. combinare, < LL. 
combinare, unite, join (two things together), < L. 
com-, together, + bini, two by two: see binary.'} 
I. trans. To associate, unite, or join into a 
whole ; connect closely together. 
They rejoice 
Each with their kind, lion with lioness ; 
So fitly them in pairs thou hast combined. 
Milton, P. L., viii. 394. 
Thousands of people who perhaps agree only on a single 
point can combine their energies for the purpose of car- 
rying that single point. 
Macaulay, Gladstone in Church and State. 
We cannot reduce the world of experience to a web of 
relations in which nothing is related, as it would be if 
everything were erased from it which we cannot refer to 
the action of a combining intelligence. 
T. H. Green, Prolegomena to Ethics, 42. 
= Syn. To mix, compound, blend. 
II. intrans. 1. To unite; coalesce: as, hon- 
or and policy combine to justify the measure. 
All experience combines to testify against the stability 
and working power of " hazy " and amorphous creeds. 
H. N. Oxenham, Short Studies, p. 322. 
Specifically 2. To unite in friendship or al- 
liance for the attainment of some common end ; 
league together ; join forces ; associate ; coSper- 
ate : followed by with. 
comburgess 
He that loves God's abode, and to combine 
With saints on earth, shall one day with them shine. 
G. Herbert, Church Porch, st. 73. 
You \vith your foes combine. Dryden, Anrengzebe. 
3. To unite by affinity or chemical attraction : 
as, two substances which will not combine of 
themselves may be made to combine by the 
intervention of a third. 
One of the most important laws in chemistry is known 
as the law of combining proportions. 
H'. L. Carpenter, Energy in Nature (1st ed.), p. 67. 
combine (kom-bin'), M. [< combine, v.] Acom- 
bi nation or agreement ; especially, a secret com- 
bination for the purpose of committing fraud ; 
a conspiracy. [Colloq. and recent; first pub- 
licly used in the trial of an alderman for brib- 
ery in New York in 1886.] 
He believes . . . that trusts, pools, combines, and the 
like, are the unconscious agencies of socialism. 
Harper's Mag., LXXVI. 802. 
combined (kom-bind'), p. a. [Pp. of combine, 
i'.] Related as parts of a combination; united 
closely; associated; leagued; confederated; 
banded. 
For insuring the general safety combined action of the 
whole horde or tribe was necessary. 
//. Spencer, Prin. of Sociol., 491. 
combinedly (kom-bi'ned-li), adv. In a com- 
bined manner ; in a state of combination ; unit- 
edly; jointly. 
The flesh, the world, the devil, all combinedly are so 
many fierce adversaries. Barrow, Sermons, ii. 30(Ord MS.). 
combinementt (kom-bln'ment), n. [< combine 
+ -ment.] Combination. 
Having no firm combineinents to chayne them together 
in their publique dangers, they lay loose to the advan- 
tage of the common enemy. Daniel, Hist. Eug., p. 2. 
combiner (kpm-bi'ner), n. One who or that 
which combines. 
This so excellent combiner of all virtues humility. 
H'. Montague, Devoute Essays, ii. 186. 
combing (ko'ming), . [Verbal n. of comb 1 , 
i:~\ 1. The act of using a comb. 2. The pro- 
cess of carding wool. See card 2 , v. t., and card- 
ing-machine. 3. The process of hackling flax. 
4. Graining on wood. 5. That which is re- 
moved by combing or carding: generally in 
the plural: as, the combings of wool or hair. 
6t. Hair combed over a bald part of the head. 
Artif. Handsomeness. 7. Same as coaming. 
combing-machine (ko'ming-ma-shen*), n. A 
machine for carding wool. See carding-ma- 
chine. 
comb-jelly (kom'jeFi), TO. A comb-bearer or 
cteiiophore ; one of the Ctenophora. 
combless (kom ' les), a. [< comb 1 + -less.'] 
Without a comb or crest : as, " a combless cock," 
Sliak., T. of the S., ii. 1. 
comb-paper (kom'pa/per), n. Marbled paper 
in which the design or decoration is most large- 
ly produced by the use of the comb. 
comb-pot (kom'pot), . A stove used to warm 
the combs employed in preparing long-stapled 
wool for worsted. It consists of a flat iron plate heated 
by fire or steam, with a similar plate above it, the space 
between the two being sufficient to admit the teeth of a 
comb. 
comb-rat (kom'rat), . A book-name of the 
species of the genus Ctenodactylus. 
Combretaceae (kom-bre-ta'se-e), n. pi. [NL., 
< Combretum + -acfce.] An order of shrubby 
or arborescent polypetalous exogens, allied to 
the Myrtacew, and including about 250 species, 
natives of the tropics. All possess astringent prop- 
erties, which are frequently utilized in tanning ; a few are 
cultivated for ornament, and others are fine timber-trees. 
The principal genera are Terminalia and Combretum. 
combretaceous (kom-brf-ta'shius), a. In bot., 
belonging to or resembling the order Combre- 
tacece. 
Combretum (kom-bre'tum), n. [NL., < L. com- 
bretum .(Pliny), akindof rush: origin unknown.] 
A large tropical genus of plants of the order 
Combretacea, chiefly shrubs. Various species fur- 
nish tanning and dyeing materials, and some are culti- 
vated in greenhouses for their handsome flowers. 
comb-saw (kom'sa), n. A hand-saw used in 
cutting combs. It has two blades, one for cutting, 
the other to enter the kerf and serve as a spacing-gage to 
determine the distance for the next cut. In certain ma- 
chine-work circular saws are used, having an intermit- 
tent longitudinal motion equal to the spacing-distance of 
the teeth. 
comburgess (kom-ber'jes), n. [= F. combour- 
geois, < ML. comburgensis, a fellow-burgess: 
see com- and burgess.'] A fellow-burgess : a term 
formerly used in England of one who was a 
member or an inhabitant of the same borough 
with another, particularly of a member of Par- 
