[OE. wullcamb = OHG. wollakampâ (MHG. wollechampe, wollekam, G. wollkamm), ON. ull(ar)kambr (Sw. ullkam, Da. uldkam): see COUS sb.1] The toothed instrument used in carding wool by hand; later also, a machine to perform the same operation.

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a. 1100.  Gerefa, in Anglia (1886), IX. 263. Wulcamb, cip, amb.

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1418.  Bury Wills (Camden), 3. j. par de wollecombes.

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1533.  Extr. Aberd. Reg. (1844), I. 451. Ane par of woll camis.

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1613.  in Trans. Soc. Antiq. Scot. (1792), I. 173. An heckell with a pair of clatting wool cammis.

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1780.  Edmondson, Her., II. Alph. Arms, Bromley, Sa. three wool-combs ar.

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1797.  W. Taylor, in Monthly Mag., III. 124–5. Bishop Blaze, to whom their traditions ascribe the beneficial invention of the wool-comb.

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1854.  R. S. Surtees, Handley Cr., xv. Just as if I’d had it teased with a pair of wool-combs.

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1870.  Morris, Earthly Par., III. IV. 111. Withal the wool-comb’s sound within the fleece Began and grew.

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