| 释义 |
ˈwool-ˌcomber
[Cf. MLG. wulkemmer, (M)Du. wolkammer, G. wollkämmer.]
1. One who combs or cards wool.
1702Lond. Gaz. No. 3820/4 Philip Adams,..aged 25, a Woollcomber. 1776Adam Smith W.N. i. x. I. 156 Half a dozen wool-combers perhaps are necessary to keep a thousand spinners and weavers at work. 1835Ure Philos. Manuf. 144 The wool is not carded in the factory, but is given out to the wool-combers, who comb it by hand. 1889J. Burnley Hist. Wool etc. 210 The term ‘woolcomber’ had completely changed its significance. In 1825 it indicated a member of the operative classes; in 1873 it was only used in regard to a class of employers. 1913Times 9 Aug. 17/2 An outbreak [of fire] at a Bradford woolcomber's.
2. = wool-comb. rare.
1854R. S. Surtees Handley Cr. l, I should sit on pins—on woolcombers—with nothin' but summer drawers on, till the account appeared.
So ˈwool-ˌcombing vbl. n. (also attrib.).
1723Abridg. Specif. Patents, Spinning (1866) 3 Two instruments of iron, to be used in the said trade of wooll kembing and pressing. 1813Vancouver Agric. Devon 387 The woolcombing business was formerly carried on..at Chumleigh. 1837L. Hebert Engin. Encycl. II. 913 Wool⁓combing by machinery has now almost superseded the work by hand. 1841Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. IV. 440/1 A new wool-combing apparatus. |