cotton gum

noun

1. any of several tupelo trees, especially Nyssa aquatica.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cotton gum¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; so called from the cottonlike hairs of its seeds

Example Sentences

The exports are coffee, cocoa, logwood, cotton, gum, honey, tobacco and sugar.

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Twigs are indicated in clammy locust, cotton gum, winged elm.

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The cotton gum is draped in cottony white down as the new shoots start and the leaves unfold in spring.

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The tupelo gum, or cotton gum, Nyssa aquatica L., is found in deep river swamps which are flooded during a part of the year.

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The most important vegetable productions are—cereals, cotton, gum tragacanth, liquorice, olive oil, opium, rice, saffron, salep, tobacco and yellow berries.

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