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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg