cotton gin

noun

1. a machine for separating the fibers of cotton from the seeds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cotton gin¹

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

The maker of the cotton gin worked another revolution in commerce, and rice proved to be an unfailing staple.

From Project Gutenberg

He began to work out his idea of the cotton gin, but met with many obstacles.

From Project Gutenberg

One man with a Whitney cotton gin can clean a thousand pounds of cotton in place of the five pounds formerly cleaned by hand.

From Project Gutenberg

It would seem that no one man invented this art in the way that Stephenson invented the locomotive and Whitney the cotton gin.

From Project Gutenberg

The history of cotton and the cotton-gin, and of the manufacture of cotton goods, is exceedingly interesting.

From Project Gutenberg