sea-island cotton

or Sea Island cotton

[ see-ahy-luhnd ]

noun

1. a long-staple cotton, Gossypium barbadense, raised originally in the Sea Islands and now grown chiefly in the West Indies.

sea-island cotton

noun

1. a cotton plant, Gossypium barbadense, of the Sea Islands, widely cultivated for its fine long fibres
2. the fibre of this plant or the material woven from it

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea-island cotton¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Bresciani 100 percent sea-island cotton Another $59 entrant from the Italian hosiery specialists.

From Slate

Sea-island cotton is a sumptuous fabric—a delight to rub across the cheek.

From Slate

And for all its charms, sea-island cotton is still not nearly as warm or soft as cashmere.

From Slate

Foppish back story: Most men cannot afford to buy shirts made of sea-island cotton.

From Slate

At Monserrat, a small island with open, cultivated fields contrasting with the dense tropical jungle of Dominica, the Prince was received by Mr. Condell, the Commissioner, and other leading inhabitants of the colony, which is prospering in the good prices at present offering for its sea-island cotton.

From Project Gutenberg