ķemme

Etymology

Borrowed from Livonian kamm, plural kämm, itself a borrowing from a Germanic language (compare German Kamm), from Proto-Germanic *kambaz, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵómbʰos (“tooth”) (whence also Latvian zobs (“tooth”)), from *ǵembʰ- (“to bite, chew”). The original meaning was probably “toothed object.” This term is first attested (as kammes, kemmes, the e form coming from the original Germanic plural, and also from the influence of simultaneously borrowed ķemmēt (“to comb”); compare German kämmen) in the 17th century, replacing the previous more general word suka (nowadays only “brush”).^[1]

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [cɛ̄mmɛ]

Noun

ķemme f (5th declension)

1. comb (a toothed implement used for grooming one's hair)

   raga, koka ķemme ― horn, wooden comb

   metāla, kaula, plastmasas ķemme ― metal, bone, plastic comb

   bieza ķemme ― fine-tooth(ed) (lit. thick) comb

   reta ķemme ― wide-tooth(ed) (lit. rare, thin) comb

References