cotton woolˌcotton ˈwool noun [uncountable] British English 
Examples
She put some disinfectant on a piece of cotton wool and dabbed it on her cheek.2wrap somebody (up) in cotton wool to protect someone completely from the dangers, difficulties etc of life: You can’t wrap those kids in cotton wool all their lives.
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
Thesaurus- He soaked bits of cotton wool in essential oils and passed it under the noses of his patients.
- Keep your toes apart with cotton wool, tissues or rubber toe-spacers.
- My fingers seemed to be made of cotton wool.
- On the other hand you don't wrap things up in cotton wool.
- The ears can be made out of felt and a small tail can be made of cotton wool.
- The intertwining of the thin, twisted worms produces an appearance similar to that of cotton wool.
- You are on a globe that looks like a crystal ball or a marble in a light bed of cotton wool.
Longman Language Activatorwanting to protect people► protective
1a soft mass of cotton that you use especially for cleaning and protecting wounds: wanting to protect someone from harm or danger, often in a way that stops them behaving freely: · Society's attitude towards children who live in the streets is not always protective.protective of: · My dad is very protective of me and has never liked any of my boyfriends.protective towards: · A dog may feel protective towards family members, and attack people who go near them.
► overprotective too anxious about wanting to protect someone from harm, danger etc in a way that seriously restricts that person's freedom, or stops them developing the skills they need for dealing with normal life: · My wife says I'm being overprotective, and that our daughter has grown into a responsible young woman.overprotective mother/father/parent: · a spoilt rich kid with an overprotective mother
► wrap somebody in cotton wool British to protect someone too much by not allowing them to experience difficult or unpleasant situations, so that they find it difficult to deal with such situations when they have to: · I'm getting better, and I have no intention of spending my life wrapped in cotton wool.
WORD SETS► Hair & BeautyAfro, nounaftershave, nounanti-perspirant, nounastringent, adjectiveastringent, nounatomizer, nounauburn, adjectivebackcomb, verbbald, adjectivebalding, adjectivebalm, nounbarber, nounbarbershop, nounbarrette, nounbath, nounbathe, verbbeard, nounbeautician, nounbeautify, verbbeauty contest, nounbeauty mark, nounbeauty parlor, nounbeauty queen, nounbeauty salon, nounbikini line, nounblackhead, nounblond, adjectiveblonde, adjectiveblonde, nounblow-dry, verbblusher, nounbob, verbbob, nounbody, nounbody spray, nounbrilliantine, nounBrylcreem, nounbubble bath, nounbun, nounbuzzcut, nouncleanser, nouncoiffure, nouncold cream, nouncollagen, nouncologne, nouncomb, nouncomb, verbcompact, nouncomplexion, nouncondition, verbconditioner, nouncornrows, nouncosmetic, adjectivecosmetics, nouncosmetic surgery, nouncotton bud, nouncotton wool, nouncream, noundental floss, noundeodorant, noundepilatory, noundimple, noundouble chin, noundowny, adjectiveeau de cologne, nounelectrolysis, nounemery board, nounessential oil, nouneyebrow pencil, nouneyeliner, nouneye shadow, nounface cream, nounfacelift, nounface pack, nounface powder, nounfacial, nounfacial scrub, nounfalse teeth, nounflannel, nounflattop, nounfoam, nounfoundation, nounfragrance, nounfringe, noungel, noungrey, adjectivegrey, verbgrip, nounhairbrush, nounhaircut, nounhairdo, nounhairdresser, nounhairdryer, nounhairgrip, nounhairline, nounhairnet, nounhairpiece, nounhairpin, nounhair slide, nounhairspray, nounhairstyle, nounhealth farm, nounhenna, nounhighlight, verbhirsute, adjectivehydrogen peroxide, nounkinky, adjectiveknot, nounkohl, nounlacquer, nounlacquer, verblank, adjectivelanolin, nounlather, verblayer, verbliner, nounlip gloss, nounliposuction, nounlipstick, nounloofah, nounlotion, nounlowlights, nounmade-up, adjectivemake-up, nounmanicure, nounmanicured, adjectivemascara, nounmedicated, adjectivemilky, adjectivemoisturize, verbmoisturizer, nounmousse, nounmoustache, nounmoustachioed, adjectivemousy, adjectivemouthwash, nounmudbath, nounmudpack, nounmusk, nounmustachioed, adjectivemutton chop whiskers, nounmyrrh, nounnailbrush, nounnail file, nounnail polish, nounnail scissors, nounnit, nounnose job, nounoil, nounointment, nounolive, nounpaint, verbpart, nounpart, verbparting, nounpate, nounpedicure, nounperfume, nounperfume, verbperfumery, nounperm, nounperm, verbpermanent, nounpermanent wave, nounperoxide, nounpigtail, nounplait, nounpomade, nounponytail, nounpowder, verbpowder puff, nounpreen, verbprimp, verbpumice, nounquiff, nounraven, adjectiverazor, nounrecede, verbred, adjectiveredhead, nounrhinoplasty, nounroll-on, nounrosewater, nounrouge, nounscent, nounshampoo, nounshampoo, verbshave, verbshave, nounshaven, adjectiveshaver, nounshaving brush, nounshaving cream, nounshort back and sides, nounshower cap, nounshower gel, nounsideburns, nounskincare, nounslide, nounsoap, verbspa, nounspiky, adjectivesplit ends, nounspray, nounstringy, adjectivestylist, nounsunbed, nounsunblock, nounsunburn, nounsun cream, nounsunglasses, nounsunlamp, nounsunscreen, nounsunshade, nounsuntan, nounsuntan lotion, nounsun-worshipper, nounswarthy, adjectiveswept-back, adjectivetalc, nountalcum powder, nountease, verbtester, nountoilet bag, nountoiletries, nountoilet water, nountone, verbtoner, nountooth, nountoothbrush, nountoothpaste, nountoothpick, nountooth powder, nountweezers, nounvanity case, nounVaseline, nounwar paint, nounwash, nounwave, nounwave, verbwavy, adjectivewax, verbwear, verbwetting solution, nounwhisker, nounwig, nounwrinkle, noun
She put some disinfectant on a piece of cotton wool and dabbed it on her cheek.2wrap somebody (up) in cotton wool to protect someone completely from the dangers, difficulties etc of life: You can’t wrap those kids in cotton wool all their lives.