die Baumwolle, -n
cotton
Definition & meaning
Baumwolle refers to the soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. In everyday language, it refers to the textile material made from these fibers, which is widely used for clothing, bedding, and home textiles due to its comfort, breathability, and durability.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a feminine noun (die Baumwolle).
The word is a compound noun consisting of two parts:
- Baum (tree)
- Wolle (wool)
Literally translated as "tree wool," the term reflects the historical perception of the plant's fluffy fibers as a type of wool growing on trees, which was a common way to describe the unfamiliar crop in German-speaking regions when it was first introduced.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Baumwollfaser (cotton fiber)
- Watte (wadding/cotton wool, often used in a medical or cosmetic context)
Antonyms: As cotton is a natural fiber, its primary antonyms in the context of textile materials are synthetic or man-made fibers:
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Examples
Ich trage ein T-Shirt aus Baumwolle.noun
I am wearing a cotton t-shirt.
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