*cot·ton¹/`kɑtṇ; ˈkɒtn/ n [U] 1 cloth or thread made from the cotton plant 棉布; 棉线: a cotton shirt 棉布衬衫 a reel of black cotton 一卷黑棉线 2 a plant producing soft white hair that is used for making cloth and thread 棉株,棉树 3AmE a soft mass of cotton used for cleaning wounds or your skin 【美】 药棉; COTTON WOOL BrE 【英】