silk cotton

American  

noun

1. the silky covering of the seeds of certain tropical trees of the bombax family, used for stuffing cushions, pillows, etc.

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silk cotton British  

noun

1. another name for kapok

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Etymology

Origin of silk cotton

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

Printed on silk, cotton, linen and other materials using traditional screen-printing techniques — cut stencils or, on occasion, photo transfers — the imagery is figurative as well as abstract.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2022

They come in silk, cotton and synthetics; with filters and without; over-the-head and over-the-ears.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 16, 2020

North America had not yet become a source for significant exports, so from these Muslim lands England hoped to gain sugar, spices, silk, cotton and even potassium nitrate to make gunpowder.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2016

Norwich, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland, factories thrummed to life, cranking out worthy imitations, although no amount of tinkering with silk, cotton, and wool blends could compete with the original pashmina wool for softness.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2015

When the silk cotton tree opened its flame-red flowers we had a new source of food.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo