*combing*

n. 1. The act or process of using a comb or a number of combs; as, the combing of one's hair; the combing of wool. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The process of combing is used in straightening wool of long staple; short wool is carded. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. (a) That which is caught or collected with a comb, as loose, tangled hair. (b) Hair arranged to be worn on the head. [ 1913 Webster ]

The baldness, thinness, and . . . deformity of their hair is supplied by borders and combings. Jer. Taylor.

(c) (Naut.) See Coamings. [ 1913 Webster ]

Combing machine (Textile Manuf.), a machine for combing wool, flax, cotton, etc., and separating the longer and more valuable fiber from the shorter. See also Carding machine, under Carding. [ 1913 Webster ]