kemp definition | Dictionary.com

kemp

1 [kemp]

–noun

British Dialect.

a.	a strong, brave warrior.

b.	an athlete, esp. a champion.

c.	a professional fighter.

d.	an impetuous or roguish young man.

2.	Scot. and North England. a contest, as between two athletes or two groups of workers, esp. a reaping contest between farmworkers.

–verb (used without object)

3.	Scot. and North England. to contest, fight, or strive, esp. to strive in a reaping contest.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME kempe, OE cempa; c. OFris kempa, kampa, MD, MLG kemp(e), OHG chemp(i)o; ult. < WGmc, perh. through L campiō; see champion

2 [kemp]

–noun

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

Origin:
1350–1400; ME kempe coarse (said of hair); akin to OE cenep mustache, bristly object, ON kampr mustache, cat's whiskers

Related forms:

kempy, adjective

[kemp]

–noun

1.	Jack F., born 1935, U.S. politician: congressman 1970–89.

2.	a male given name.

Link To kemp

Kemp

Kemp\, Kempty \Kemp"ty\, n. Coarse, rough hair wool or fur, injuring its quality.

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