Toothcomb

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A comb with closely spaced teeth used for removing debris or parasites from hair ; to go through something painstakingly, checking every detail
2. A fine-toothed comb with densely set prongs for picking out tangles or lice ; to examine a place or set of records with exhaustive care
3. A close-set comb designed to pull out fine particles from hair ; to scour an area or a set of documents meticulously for anything hidden

Etymology: The word "toothcomb" is a rebracketing of "fine-tooth comb," the familiar tool with closely spaced teeth for finding nits or lice, or for sifting through something minutely. The phrase "fine-tooth comb" was split into "fine" plus "toothcomb," so the modifier now seems to attach to a single compound noun. The verb "to toothcomb," meaning to search through something with great thoroughness, was formed from that noun, so it describes the act of combing closely through material. The same compound has a literal, zoological sense too: a toothcomb is also the comb-like structure of teeth on the lower incisors and canines of a ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), used for grooming its fur. Here the word is simply the plain sum of its parts, tooth and comb, with no metaphor involved.

Synonyms: nit comb