noun
comb
A fleshy crest on a bird's head.
The rooster has a bright red comb.
Etymology
Old English camb could name a comb or crest. The bird’s fleshy projection shares the raised, often toothed outline, making its shape the link between the uses.
More examples
- A tall comb rose above the bird’s eyes.
- The hen’s comb was smaller.
- The illustration showed the shape of each breed’s comb.
Forms
comb · combs
Similar words
- crest
- A raised feature on a bird’s head, often feathers rather than flesh.