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

Derived Forms

• ˈkempy, adjective

Other Words From

• kempy adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of kemp¹

C14: from Old Norse kampr beard, moustache

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg