Nylon vs. Cotton — What's the Difference?

Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers composed of polyamides (repeating units linked by amide links). Nylon is a silk-like thermoplastic, generally made from petroleum, that can be melt-processed into fibers, films, or shapes.

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose.

Any of a family of high-strength, resilient synthetic polymers, the molecules of which contain the recurring amide group CONH.

Any of various shrubby plants of the genus Gossypium, having showy flowers and grown for the soft white downy fibers surrounding oil-rich seeds.

Cloth or yarn made from one of these synthetic materials.

The fiber of any of these plants, used in making textiles and other products.

Nylons Stockings made of one of these synthetic materials.

Thread or cloth manufactured from the fiber of these plants.

Originally, the DuPont company trade name for polyamide, a copolymer whose molecules consist of alternating diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers bonded together; now generically used for this type of polymer.

Any of various soft downy substances produced by other plants, as on the seeds of a cottonwood.

(in the plural) A stocking originally fabricated from nylon; also used generically for any long, sheer stocking worn on a woman's legs.

To take a liking; attempt to be friendly

(perjoratively, by comparison to silk) A Queen's Counsel, King's Counsel or Senior Counsel who was appointed as a courtesy, rather than on merit.

To come to understand. Often used with to or onto

Any of several thermoplastic polyamide plastics, comprising a family of high-strength resilient synthetic materials, used mostly in fibers.

Gossypium, a genus of plant used as a source of cotton fiber.

A synthetic fabric consisting of fibers of nylon[wn1].

Any plant that encases its seed in a thin fiber that is harvested and used as a fabric or cloth.

Stockings made of a thin form of nylon{2}, especially full-length stockings either sheer of of varying shades.

Any fiber similar in appearance and use to Gossypium fiber.

A thermoplastic polyamide; a family of high-strength resilient synthetic materials

(textiles) The textile made from the fiber harvested from a cotton plant, especially Gossypium.

A synthetic fabric

(countable) An item of clothing made from cotton.

Made of cotton.

(transitive) To provide with cotton.

To supply with a cotton wick.

To fill with a wad of cotton.

(horticulture) To wrap with a protective layer of cotton fabric.

To cover walls with fabric.

(tar and cotton) To cover with cotton bolls over a layer of tar (analogous to tar and feather )

To make or become cotton-like

To raise a nap, providing with a soft, cottony texture.

To develop a porous, cottony texture.

To give the appearance of being dotted with cotton balls.

To enshroud with a layer of whiteness.

To protect from harsh stimuli, coddle, or muffle.

To rub or burnish with cotton.

To get on with someone or something; to have a good relationship with someone.

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.

Silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state

Fabric woven from cotton fibers

Erect bushy mallow plant or small tree bearing bolls containing seeds with many long hairy fibers

Thread made of cotton fibers

Take a liking to;