■ noun
1》 a soft white fibrous substance which surrounds the seeds of the ~ plant and is used as textile fibre and thread for sewing.
↘fabric made from ~ fibre.
2》 (also ~ plant ) the tropical and subtropical plant commercially grown to make ~ fabric and thread. [Genus Gossypium .]
3》 (also ~ batting ) N. Amer. ~ wool.
■ verb informal
1》 ( ~ on ) begin to understand.
2》 ( ~ to ) N. Amer. have a liking for.
Derivatives
~y adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. coton , from Arab. ḳuṭn .