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kemp

1

[ kemp ]

noun

  1. British Dialect.
    1. a strong, brave warrior.
    2. an athlete, especially a champion.
    3. a professional fighter.
    4. an impetuous or roguish young man.
  2. Scot. and North England. a contest, as between two athletes or two groups of workers, especially a reaping contest between farmworkers.


verb (used without object)

  1. Scot. and North England. to contest, fight, or strive, especially to strive in a reaping contest.

kemp

2

[ kemp ]

noun

  1. a short, coarse, brittle fiber, used chiefly in the manufacture of carpets.

Kemp

3

[ kemp ]

noun

  1. Jack F., 1935–2009, U.S. politician: congressman 1970–89.
  2. a male given name.

kemp

/ kɛmp /

noun

  1. a coarse hair or strand of hair, esp one in a fleece that resists dyeing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈkempy, adjective
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Other Words From

  • kempy adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of kemp1

before 900; Middle English kempe, Old English cempa; cognate with Old Frisian kempa, kampa, Middle Dutch, Middle Low German kemp ( e ), Old High German chemp ( i ) o; ultimately < West Germanic, perhaps through Latin campiō; champion

Origin of kemp2

1350–1400; Middle English kempe coarse (said of hair); akin to Old English cenep mustache, bristly object, Old Norse kampr mustache, cat's whiskers
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Word History and Origins

Origin of kemp1

C14: from Old Norse kampr beard, moustache
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Example Sentences

I remember this as being an unsatisfactory game because one so constantly killed one’s own kemp instead of the enemy.

The sides will be covered with good quality, long staple mohair, comparatively free from the coarse, dead underhair, or kemp.

Each of them had won her kemp; and it was currently said by them who ought to know, that neither of them could over-match the other.

Now listen, Hero Hogen,    Thou art of kemps the flower, Enough of land thou dost possess,    Enough of fame and power.

The Count he rode to Kulloe house, Where the kemps were drinking a deep carouse.

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