cotton wool

1. Cotton in its natural or raw state.

2. Chiefly British A cotton ball or a wad of cotton.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cotton wool

1. (Textiles) chiefly Also called: purified cotton Brit bleached and sterilized cotton from which the gross impurities, such as the seeds and waxy matter, have been removed: used for surgical dressings, tampons, etc. Usual US term: absorbent cotton

2. (Textiles) cotton in the natural state

3. informal

a. a state of pampered comfort and protection

b. (as modifier): a cotton-wool existence.

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

cot′ton wool′

cotton in its raw state.

[1590–1600]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

cotton wool - soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state

cotton, cotton fiber

cotton - fabric woven from cotton fibers

cushioning, padding - artifact consisting of soft or resilient material used to fill or give shape or protect or add comfort

absorbent cotton - cotton made absorbent by removal of the natural wax

long-staple cotton - cotton with relatively long fibers

short-staple cotton - cotton with relatively short fibers

plant fiber, plant fibre - fiber derived from plants

Translations

قُطْن طِبّيّ

vata

vat

Watte Baumwolle

ακατέργαστο βαμβάκι

algodón algodón en rama

pumpuli

ouate coton hydrophile

vata

ovatta bambagia cotone cotone idrofilo

脱脂綿

솜

vata

bomull

สำลี

pamuk

bông mềm

棉絮

cotton wool

n (Brit) → cotone m idrofilo

cotton wool

→ قُطْن طِبّيّ vata vat Watte ακατέργαστο βαμβάκι algodón, algodón en rama pumpuli ouate vata ovatta 脱脂綿 솜 watten vatt wata algodão hidrófilo вата bomull สำลี pamuk bông mềm 棉絮

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

It produces purified cotton spinning waste with an annual capacity of 2,500 tons.

Turkmenistan privatizes textile industry

In fact, research shows that over 75% of consumers have falsely assumed that the hygiene products they use contain purified cotton because they are soft and white like cotton.

Natural Fibers Take the Lead in Nonwovens: The sustainability story continues to be strong in baby diapers and feminine hygiene products

Product varieties are mainly purified cotton, CVC and T/C, while new varieties including cotton/cashmere and cotton/bamboo fibre have also been developed.

China's Lufeng adds Monforts Thermex to new production line

In his new role, Hubbard will lead the strategy and direction of product management, new product development, product redesign and enhancements specifically for all product categories of Barnhardt Manufacturing Company's Natural Fibers Group which includes: Barnhardt Purified Cotton, Carolina Absorbent Cotton, Richmond Dental & Medical, Intrinsics and Carolina Cotton.

Beraho Joins BAHP

Barnhardt Introduces System for Cleaner Purified Cotton

Andritz to Buy Xerium

As Purified Cotton replaces synthetic fibers or extruded films, the consumer is conditioned to expect a clean, white surface which its newest Purified Cotton offerings meet.

Fibers for Nonwovens: Sustainable, simplified solutions catch the eye of consumers and producers