(kot′n) noun
1. The soft, fibrous, white or yellowish material, of high cellulose content, appendant to the seeds of the cotton plant. It is graded chiefly in accordance with the length of the fibers (long–staple and short–staple) and is widely used as a textile, in industry, chemistry, medicine, and the arts.
2. The cotton plant itself; also, cotton plants collectively.
3. Cotton cloth or thread.
—adjective Woven or composed of cotton cloth or thread.
—v.t. To wrap up in cotton; hence, to pet or coddle.
—to cotton to Colloq. To become friendly with; take a liking to.
—to cotton up to Colloq. To attempt to please or placate by friendly overtures or flattery. [<F coton <OSp. <Arabic quṭun]

(kot′n), Charles,
1630–87, English author and translator.
—John,
1584–1642, English clergyman in America; grandfather of Cotton Mather.