noun
comb
A structure of wax cells built by honeybees.
The bees fill the comb with honey.
Etymology
Old English camb survives in honeycomb. In this traditional compound, comb names the bees’ wax structure, and that specialized meaning also stands on its own.
More examples
- A section of comb hung inside the hive.
- The beekeeper lifted a frame of comb.
- Fresh comb had a pale waxy color.
Forms
comb · combs
Similar words
- honeycomb
- The fuller usual name.