Cottonization

/ˌkɑtənɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The process of converting something into cotton or cotton-like material, or the historical shift of economies toward cotton production.

Etymology

From cottonize + -ation suffix. The verb cottonize combines cotton with -ize (a productive suffix meaning 'to cause to become'), popular in English for creating action nouns.

Kelly Says

During the Industrial Revolution, entire regions underwent 'cottonization'—whole economies transformed around cotton mills, which is why Lancashire, England became the world's cotton capital by 1850.

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