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Glite Dictionary
⛪ Of John Cotton 📜 Of Cotton library 🙋 A Cotton follower 📖 A Cotton library book
Cottonian

Cottonian

9.9
Relating to John Cotton's Puritan religious teachings and influence
  • adjective
  • /kəˈtoʊniən/
  • Formal
: cottoniano
  • Many Cottonian ideas shaped the beliefs of the first settlers in Massachusetts.

Examples

  • Her research focused on the Cottonian influence in New England's religious development.

  • The Cottonian tradition emphasizes the importance of personal piety.

  • The church displayed several Cottonian manuscripts from the early colonial period.

  • Many Cottonian ideas influenced early American Puritanism.

  • The Cottonian teachings on morality have had a lasting impact on American society.

  • Many early congregations adopted Cottonian practices during their services in the 17th century.

  • Scholars often debate the significance of Cottonian thought in the evolution of Puritan doctrine.

Surface Forms

Cottonian positive

Morphology

Cottonian = Cotton (semi-transparent) = Cotton + ian

The suffix '-ian' clearly marks 'relating to Cotton', but understanding the reference to John Cotton requires historical knowledge and may be confused with the common noun 'cotton'.

Etymology

Cottonian comes from the last name Cotton, as in John Cotton, a well-known Puritan minister. So something called Cottonian is 'of or like' his religious teaching and influence, which is why the term describes ideas that follow his views.