cotton on to
Variant of cotton
cotton
Definition
cot·ton (kät′'n)
noun
- the soft, white seed hairs filling the seedpods of various shrubby plants (genus Gossypium) of the mallow family, originally native to the tropics
- a plant or plants producing this material
- the crop of such plants
- thread or cloth made of cotton
- a downy, cottonlike substance growing on other plants
Etymology: ME cotoun < OFr coton < (? via It cotone) Ar quṭun < ? Egypt
adjective
of cotton
cotton to
Etymology: ? < notion of cotton mixing well with wool, etc.
Informal- to become drawn to; take a liking to
- Chiefly Brit. to become aware of (a situation) also cotton on to
cotton up to
Informal to try to ingratiate oneself, or make friends, with
Variant of Cotton
Cotton
Definition
Cot·ton (kät′'n)
Cotton,
John 1584-1652; Am. Puritan clergyman, born in England: grandfather of Cotton Mather
Browse dictionary entries near cotton on to
- cotton-on-call report
- cotton gum
- cotton grass
- cotton gin
- cotton flannel
- cotton candy
- Cotton Belt
- cotton batting
- cotton
- cottier
- cotton-picking
- cotton stainer
- cotton wool
- cottonmouth
- cottonseed
- cottonseed meal
- cottontail
- cottonweed
- cottonwood
- cottony
