*combe*

A long, curling wave rolling in from the ocean. See Comber. [ Amer., archaic ] [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. (Zool.) A scaraboid beetle; esp. the Typhæus vulgaris of Europe. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Buncombe a county of North Carolina. ] Speech-making for the gratification of constituents, or to gain public applause; flattering talk for a selfish purpose; anything said for mere show. [ Cant or Slang, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

All that flourish about right of search was bunkum -- all that brag about hanging your Canada sheriff was bunkum . . . slavery speeches are all bunkum. Haliburton. [ 1913 Webster ]

To speak for Buncombe, to speak for mere show, or popularly. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ “The phrase originated near the close of the debate on the famous ‘Missouri Question, ' in the 16th Congress. It was then used by Felix Walker -- a naïve old mountaineer, who resided at Waynesville, in Haywood, the most western country of North Carolina, near the border of the adjacent county of Buncombe, which formed part of his district. The old man rose to speak, while the house was impatiently calling for the ‘Question, ' and several members gathered round him, begging him to desist. He persevered, however, for a while, declaring that the people of his district expected it, and that he was bound to ‘make a speech for Buncombe.'” W. Darlington. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Comb. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ AS. comb, prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. cwm a dale, valley. ] That unwatered portion of a valley which forms its continuation beyond and above the most elevated spring that issues into it. [ Written also coombe. ] Buckland. [ 1913 Webster ]

A gradual rise the shelving combe
Displayed. Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The cabrilla. Also, a name applied to a species of wrasse. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Encumbrance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who combs; one whose occupation it is to comb wool, flax, etc. Also, a machine for combing wool, flax, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A long, curling wave. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cumber. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. See Encumber. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Encumberment. ] Hindrance; molestation.[ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Formed or perforated like a honeycomb. [ 1913 Webster ]

Each bastion was honeycombed with casements. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. See Encumber. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., a mackerel, Gr. sko`mbros. ] (Zool.) A genus of acanthopterygious fishes which includes the common mackerel. [ 1913 Webster ]