a soft, downy substance, resembling fine wool, consisting of the unicellular twisted hairs which grow on the seeds of the cotton plant. long-staple cotton has a fiber sometimes almost two inches long; short-staple, from two thirds of an inch to an inch and a half.-the cotton plant. see cotten plant, below.-cloth made of cotton.-to rise with a regular nap, as cloth does.-to go on prosperously; to succeed.-to unite; to agree; to make friends; -- usually followed by with.-to take a liking to; to stick to one as cotton; -- used with to.