cot

¹

[kot]

noun

1. a light portable bed, especially one of canvas on a folding frame.

2. British.,  a child's crib.

3. a light bedstead.

4. Nautical.,  a hammocklike bed stiffened by a suspended frame.

cot

²

[kot]

noun

1. a small house; cottage; hut.

2. a small place of shelter.

3. a sheath or protective covering, as for an injured finger or toe.

cot

³

abbreviation

Trigonometry.

1. cotangent.

cot

¹

/ kɒt /

noun

1. a child's boxlike bed, usually incorporating vertical bars

2. a collapsible or portable bed

3. a light bedstead

4. nautical a hammock-like bed with a stiff frame

cot

²

/ kɒt /

noun

1. literary,  a small cottage

2. Also called: cote. 

   1. a small shelter, esp one for pigeons, sheep, etc

   2. ( in combination )

      dovecot

3. another name for fingerstall

cot

³

/ kɒt /

abbreviation

1. cotangent

cot

⁴

/ kɒt /

verb

1. dialect,  to entangle or become entangled

cot

1. Abbreviation of cotangent

Word History and Origins

Origin of cot¹

1625–35; < Hindi khāṭ < Prakrit khaṭṭā < Sanskrit khaṭvā; akin to Tamil kattil bedstead

Origin of cot²

before 900; Middle English, Old English cot (neuter; cote ¹ ); cognate with Old Norse kot hut; akin to cubby, cove ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cot¹

C17: from Hindi khāt bedstead, from Sanskrit khátvā, of Dravidian origin; related to Tamil kattil bedstead

Origin of cot²

Old English cot; related to Old Norse kot little hut, Middle Low German cot

Example Sentences

Earlier this month, areas with space for around 65 detainees were holding more than 100, with cots spread across the floor between bunk beds.

From Los Angeles Times

The BBC understands Ms Upton has a cold cot - with electrical cooling pads to maintain lower temperatures - which she uses at her home and lends out to families.

From BBC

"It means we have more space to take in larger items like cots and prams in bigger quantities each week through donations from members of the public," she added.

From BBC

The couple spent nine years there, and went on to have a family in their small room, squeezing in two cots and all their possessions.

From BBC

“So get on a cot or on a sleeping bag,” he said, “and lie flat on your back and look straight up.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bunk