cotton-spinner

A cotton-spinner operates a large spinning machine in a textile mill.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A worker who spins cotton: "cotton-spinner" refers to a person whose occupation is to spin cotton fibers into thread or yarn.
   • A factory owner: In historical or industrial contexts, "cotton-spinner" can also denote the owner or manager of a cotton-spinning mill.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The cotton-spinner worked long hours at the spinning frame. (A worker engaged in spinning cotton.)
  • He was a wealthy cotton-spinner who owned several mills in Lancashire. (A factory owner of cotton-spinning operations.)

Advanced Usage

• "Cotton-spinner" as a historical class term: In 19th-century Britain, "cotton-spinner" often referred to both skilled laborers and industrial capitalists in the textile industry.
  • The cotton-spinners' union fought for better wages and working conditions. (The trade union representing these workers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cotton-spinning (n): the process or industry of spinning cotton into thread or yarn.

  • Cotton-spinning was a major industry during the Industrial Revolution. (The industrial activity of spinning cotton.)

• Spinner (n): a person or machine that spins fibers.

  • The spinner operated the machine with great skill. (A worker who spins any fiber, including cotton.)

Synonyms

• Textile worker: a person employed in the production of cloth.
• Mill owner: a person who owns a factory for processing raw materials (e.g., cotton).

Related Idioms

• "Spinner of tales": a person who tells stories (not directly related to cotton, but shares the "spinner" root).
  • The old sailor was a spinner of tales about his voyages. (A storyteller, not a literal spinner.)

Notes

• The word "cotton-spinner" is specific to the textile industry and is less common in modern usage, having been largely replaced by terms like "textile worker" or "spinning operative."