kemp 1
/kemp/ , n.
1. Brit. Dial.
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 Eng. a contest, as between two athletes or two groups of workers, esp. a reaping contest between farmworkers.
v.i.
3. Scot. and North Eng. to contest, fight, or strive, esp. to strive in a reaping contest.
[ bef. 900; ME kempe, OE cempa; c. OFris kempa, kampa, MD, MLG kemp ( e ), OHG chemp ( i ) o; ult. campio; see CHAMPION ]
kemp 2
— kempy , adj.
/kemp/ , n.
a short, coarse, brittle fiber, used chiefly in the manufacture of carpets.
[ 1350-1400; ME kempe coarse (said of hair); akin to OE cenep mustache, bristly object, ON kampr mustache, cat's whiskers ]