cotton-candy
Meaning
A type of sweet food made from spun sugar that is light, fluffy, and often served on a stick.
Structure
Usage
The children were delighted, each holding a cloud of pink cotton-candy.
The smell of cotton-candy and popcorn filled the air at the county fair.
She watched as the vendor spun the molten sugar into delicate cotton-candy.
Etymology
The term is a transparent American English compound from the late 19th century. "Cotton" is borrowed from the Arabic word for the plant, ultimately of unknown origin, and is used metaphorically to describe the candy's light, fibrous texture. "Candy" traces back to Sanskrit 'khaṇḍa' (piece of sugar), entering English through Persian and Arabic. The compound's logic is purely descriptive, comparing the spun sugar's airy, thread-like consistency to the fluffy white balls of the cotton plant, creating a vivid and memorable name for the confection.
Analysis
- cotton: From Arabic 'quṭun', via Romance languages. In this compound, it functions as a descriptive element, likening the candy's texture to the soft, fibrous material. - candy: From Arabic 'qand' (sugar), via Persian and Sanskrit. It functions as the core noun, specifying the type of sweet.