▪ I. ˈcurry-comb, n.
[f. curry v.1]
A comb or instrument of metal used for currying horses, etc.
| 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 35 A currie-combe, mainecombe, and whip for a Jade. 1618 Fletcher Loyal Subject i. iii, The devil with a curry-comb Scratch 'em, and scrub 'em. 1714 in Phil. Trans. XXIX. 49 Rubbing and currying..with a Currycomb and Brush. 1882 H. Lansdell Through Siberia I. 137 Siberian post-horses are sorry objects to look at..A curry-comb probably never touches their coats. |
b. attrib. and Comb.
| 1634 Heywood & Brome Lanc. Witches ii. Wks. 1874 IV. 201, I have..then halfe a score mile to ride by curriecombe time, i' the morning. 1768 Goldsm. Good-n. Man 1, Old Ruggins, the curry-comb maker. |
▪ II. ˈcurry-comb, ˈcurrycomb, v.
[f. prec. n.]
trans. To rub down or groom with a curry-comb; to curry. Also transf. and fig.: see curry v.
| 1708 Motteux Rabelais v. vii. (1737) 26 The Groom..ordered one of his Underlings to..curricomb him with a Cudgel. 1809 Scott in C. K. Sharpe's Corr. (1888) I. 366, I would willingly embrace your offer of curry-combing Miss Owenson. 1839 Times 13 Sept., They do not believe a priest can currycomb off their sins. 1842 Mrs. Gore Fascin. 42 The principal clerk..became suddenly as serious as an ass that is being currycombed. |
Hence ˈcurry-comber.
| 1889 Rawlinson Anc. Egypt ii. (ed. 4) 32 The Apis bull..had his train of attendant priests..his grooms and curry-combers. |