absorbent cotton

noun

cotton for surgical dressings, cosmetic purposes, etc., made absorbent by removing the natural wax.

Origin of absorbent cotton

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Words Nearby absorbent cotton

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use absorbent cotton in a sentence

Legend has it that when the war ended and Kimberly-Clark company executives were looking for new clients for their products, a group of American nurses said they had been using the super absorbent cotton as sanitary pads.
Accidental Genius: 10 Surprising Inventions | Emma Foster | July 30, 2021 | Ozy
They heard that one country was in special need of stretchers, a second absorbent cotton, a third hospital gauze.
Ways of War and Peace | Delia Austrian
As she spoke Mrs. Harold took a bit of absorbent cotton, soaked it in rose water and bathed the lovely soft, brown eyes.
Peggy Stewart at School | Gabrielle E. Jackson
After the limb had been carefully wrapped in absorbent cotton and placed in a larger box, he felt very comfortable.
Precious Memories | Various
This is removed by placing in water and wiping gently with absorbent cotton.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | Various

An excellent substitute is absorbent cotton-wool enclosed in gauze (Gamgee tissue).
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) | Various

British Dictionary definitions for absorbent cotton

absorbent cotton

noun

a US term for cotton wool (def. 1)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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