blue comb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialized/Technical
Quick answer
What does “blue comb” mean?
A comb that is blue in color.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A comb that is blue in color.
Can refer to a specific poultry disease (fowl cholera) also known as 'blue comb disease' in veterinary contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a literal object, usage is identical. The disease term 'blue comb' is used in both varieties, though 'fowl cholera' is more standard.
Connotations
Neutral for the object; negative and technical for the disease.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday language. Higher frequency only in poultry farming or veterinary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “blue comb” in a Sentence
[adjective] + [noun]suffer from + [blue comb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blue comb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hens began to blue comb after the outbreak.
- The vet said it might blue comb if untreated.
American English
- The flock is bluing comb, indicating infection.
- We need to isolate any bird that blues comb.
adjective
British English
- She bought a blue-comb set for her dressing table.
- The blue-comb appearance was alarming.
American English
- He had a blue-comb symptom in his chickens.
- A blue-comb diagnosis requires lab tests.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in manufacturing or retail of hair accessories.
Academic
Rare outside of veterinary or agricultural science papers.
Everyday
Simple description of a personal care item.
Technical
A clinical sign in poultry pathology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blue comb”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blue comb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blue comb”
- Using 'blue comb' as a common synonym for sadness (incorrect).
- Confusing 'comb' (noun) with 'comb' (verb) in pronunciation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency phrase. It is either a simple description of a colored object or a specialized veterinary term.
In very specialized agricultural jargon, it can be used descriptively (e.g., 'the bird is blue-combing'), but this is non-standard and highly context-dependent.
'Blue comb' is a visible symptom (a cyanotic comb) often associated with fowl cholera, which is the specific bacterial disease caused by Pasteurella multocida.
In British English, it rhymes with 'home' (/kəʊm/). In American English, it rhymes with 'foam' (/koʊm/). The 'b' is silent in both.
A comb that is blue in color.
Blue comb is usually specialized/technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this phrase.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'blue jay' using a 'blue comb' to preen its feathers.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLUE IS FOR SADNESS/ILLNESS (in the disease context: a blue comb indicates a sick bird).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'blue comb' a technical term?