TOOTHCOMB

Etymology 1

Noun

toothcomb (plural toothcombs)

(Britain, chiefly, figurative, sometimes, proscribed) A comb with finely spaced teeth, chiefly as a metaphorical means of making a thorough search.

Usage notes

Although regarded by some as erroneous, the word is now said by the Oxford English Dictionary to be “accepted in standard English”.

Verb

toothcomb (third-person singular simple present toothcombs, present participle toothcombing, simple past and past participle toothcombed) (Britain, transitive, sometimes proscribed)

(rare) To use a toothcomb on (something).

(figurative) To search (something) thoroughly.

Etymology 2

Noun

toothcomb (plural toothcombs)

(zoology) A comb-like dental structure found in the lower jaws of certain primates consisting of long, flat front teeth with microscopic grooves, which are used for grooming fur.

Source: Wiktionary