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comb-like

comb-like

5.0
Thin, evenly spaced parts that stick out in a row like small teeth
  • adjective
  • /koʊm-laɪk/
translation icon : en forma de peine
  • The fence had a comb-like top, with sharp points spaced evenly apart.

Examples

  • It removed the traces of JPEG compression by filling the gaps of the comb-like DCT histograms of all the subbands created due to JPEG compression.

    Academic text (2017)
  • First, there are serrations or comb like structures right where the air first hits the wing.

  • It is generally focused on filling the gaps in the comb-like distribution of DCT coefficients in each subband.

    Academic text (2017)
  • To attract a female bow-winged grasshopper, the male rubs a comb-like structure on his hind leg against a vein that protrudes from his front wing.

    Blog text (18)
  • The comb-like fins of the fish helped it navigate through the water effortlessly.

  • The artist used a brush with comb-like bristles to create texture in her painting.

Synonyms

fine-toothed
vscomb-like
1 5.0

With many very small teeth close together, like a comb or saw

emphasizes regular narrow projections rather than very fine spacing
comblike
vscomb-like
6.0

Having many thin, parallel teeth that stick out

is written with a hyphen as the alternative form
pectinate
vscomb-like
  • Specialized
9.9

Having thin parallel parts like the teeth of a comb

is the common general term rather than this technical precise label
ctenoid
vscomb-like
  • Specialized
9.9

Having small tooth-like edges, often used to describe fish scales

is the general descriptive term not limited to that specific domain

How Comb-like

comb-like
5.0
toothed
3.9
ridged
1 5.0
scalloped
1 4.6
smooth
256 1.0

Surface Forms

comb-like positive

Morphology

comb-like = comb (transparent) = comb + like

The adjective is a regular formation from the noun 'comb' with the productive adjectival suffix '-like' meaning 'resembling', so its meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

Comb-like comes from comb, a tool with teeth for hair, and the suffix -like meaning 'similar to'. So something described as comb-like has narrow, regular projections like the teeth of a comb, which explains its current meaning.