Word of the Day: Combine

combine

com-bine / kŏm–bīn as a noun and verb definition 4; kəm-bīn as a verb for definition 1 – 3

noun

1. a piece of farm equipment used for cutting and threshing when harvesting grain

You might be a redneck if your bumper sticker says, My other car is a combine.

Jeff Foxworthy, 1958 –

2. a combination, particularly groups of people united in a cause or for commercial interests

Simply, it was this: for good purposes, even high purposes, the people of Salem developed a theocracy, a combine of state and religious power whose function was to keep the community together, and to prevent any kind of disunity that might open it to destruction by material or ideological enemies.

“The Crucible: a Play in Four Acts”, Arthur Miller, 1915 – 2005

verb

1. to bring or join together to form a whole; to unite

If you combine all the spectral rays into a single beam, you get white light; and, if you combine all the virtues into a single beam, you get charity.

Austin O’Malley, 1858 – 1932

2. to mix together to create a chemical compound

Simple molecules combine to make powerful chemicals.

Scott Adams, 1957 –

3. to unite for a common cause or purpose

Over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.

Queen Elizabeth II, 1926 – 2022

4. to harvest grain using a piece of harvesting equipment known as a combine

The team says it will take about four to five days to combine all 900 acres.

Sasha Strong, “Farm Rescue comes to aid of Sawyer farmer in 700th exercise”, ‘KFYRTV’, www.kfyrtv.com/2020/08/17/farm-rescue-comes-to-aid-of-sawyer-farmer-in-700th-exercise, accessed May 8, 2024