cotton gum


noun
  1. any of several tupelo trees, especially Nyssa aquatica.

Origin of cotton gum

1
An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; so called from the cottonlike hairs of its seeds

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use cotton gum in a sentence

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

    Forest Trees of Illinois | Fuller George D.
  • Twigs are indicated in clammy locust, cotton gum, winged elm.

    Trees Worth Knowing | Julia Ellen Rogers