cotton wool

noun

1. cotton in its raw state, as on the boll or gathered but unprocessed.

2. British.,  absorbent cotton.

cotton wool

noun

1. Usual US term: absorbent cotton. Also called: purified cotton. bleached and sterilized cotton from which the gross impurities, such as the seeds and waxy matter, have been removed: used for surgical dressings, tampons, etc

2. cotton in the natural state

3. informal

   1. a state of pampered comfort and protection

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cotton-wool existence

Word History and Origins

Origin of cotton wool¹

First recorded in 1590–1600