silk-cotton tree

noun

silk-cot·​ton tree ˈsilk-ˈkä-tᵊn- How to pronounce silk-cotton tree (audio)
variants or silk cotton tree
: any of various tropical trees (family Malvaceae, the mallow family) with palmate leaves and large fruits with the seeds enveloped by silk cotton
especially : kapok sense 1

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silk-cotton tree was in 1712

Dictionary Entries Near silk-cotton tree

Cite this Entry

“Silk-cotton tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silk-cotton%20tree. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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