cotton picker

American  

noun

1. a machine for removing the ripe cotton fiber from the standing plant.

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cotton picker British  

noun

1. a machine for harvesting cotton fibre

2. a person who picks ripe cotton fibre from the plants

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Etymology

Origin of cotton picker

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

Not just with January’s tragedy or March’s closures, but rather an all-encompassing look at this remarkable team, which traces back to a 13-year-old Black boy who wanted to be the best cotton picker in Mississippi.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2020

A third cotton picker sits idle at the edge of the field.

From Washington Times • Nov. 27, 2015

Nyong'o, who was for Bafta's EE Rising Star award, plays cotton picker Patsey and is at the centre of one of the film's most distressing scenes.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2014

Louvin recounted meeting a lonely teenager -- a young cotton picker named Johnny Cash -- while selling tickets to a show in Arkansas.

From Reuters • Jan. 26, 2011

Most notable were the corn picker, in 1909, and the cotton picker, in 1942.

From Agricultural Implements and Machines in the Collection of the National Museum of History and Technology Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology, No. 17 by Schlebecker, John T.