Cotton wool

Cotton wool

Cotton wool consists of silky fibers taken from cotton plants in their raw state. Impurities, such as seeds, are removed and the cotton is then bleached and sterilized. It is also a refined product ("absorbent cotton" in U.S. usage) which has medical, cosmetic and many other practical uses.The first medical use of cotton wool was by Dr Joseph Sampson Gamgee at the Queen's Hospital (later the General Hospital) in Birmingham, England.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cotton wool — Cotton Cot ton (k[o^]t t n), n. [F. coton, Sp. algodon the cotton plant and its wool, coton printed cotton, cloth, fr. Ar. qutun, alqutun, cotton wool. Cf. {Acton}, {Hacqueton}.] 1. A soft, downy substance, resembling fine wool, consisting of the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cotton wool — n [U] BrE 1.) a soft mass of cotton that you use especially for cleaning and protecting wounds ▪ She put some disinfectant on a piece of cotton wool and dabbed it on her cheek. 2.) wrap sb (up) in cotton wool to protect someone completely from… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • cotton-wool — n Brit ABSORBENT COTTON * * * cot·ton wool (kotґən wool) raw nonabsorbent cotton, especially the absorbent form prepared by removing the cottonseed oil …   Medical dictionary

  • cotton wool — noun uncount BRITISH COTTON used for cleaning a cut on your skin or removing MAKEUP wrap someone in cotton wool BRITISH to protect someone from all the dangers or problems that could happen …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • cotton wool — ► NOUN 1) Brit. fluffy wadding of a kind originally made from raw cotton, used especially for applying or removing cosmetics or bathing wounds. 2) US raw cotton …   English terms dictionary

  • cotton wool — n. 1. raw cotton ☆ 2. COTTON BATTING …   English World dictionary

  • cotton wool — noun (U) BrE 1 a soft mass of cotton that you use especially for cleaning and protecting wounds: Cotton wool pads are good for removing make up. 2 wrap sb in cotton wool to protect someone completely from the dangers, difficulties etc of life:… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • cotton wool — N UNCOUNT Cotton wool is a soft mass of cotton, used especially for applying liquids or creams to your skin. [BRIT] (in AM, use cotton) …   English dictionary

  • cotton wool — noun 1》 Brit. fluffy wadding of a kind originally made from raw cotton, used especially for cleaning the skin or bathing wounds. 2》 US raw cotton. Phrases wrap someone in cotton wool be overprotective towards someone …   English new terms dictionary

  • cotton wool — noun Cotton wool is used before these nouns: ↑pad …   Collocations dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”