cotton

cot-ton · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (noun) A soft white fibrous substance that surrounds the seeds of a tropical plant and is used as textile fiber.

  2. 2.

    (noun) Cloth or thread made from cotton fibers.

  3. 3.

    (adjective) Made of cotton.

  4. 4.

    (verb, informal) To begin to understand or like.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    cotton on — (British informal) to begin to understand
  • •
    cotton candy — spun sugar confection
  • •
    cotton wool — absorbent cotton for medical use
  • •
    cotton picking — (dated) used for emphasis

Related words

See also: fabric, linen, textile

Etymology

From Arabic "qutn" via Old French "coton," entering English in the 14th century.