- cush´ion|like´
- cush|ion «KUSH uhn», noun, verb.–n.1. a soft pillow or pad used to sit, lie, or kneel on: »
I rested my head by laying it on a cushion. ... sit on a cushion and sew a fine seam (Nursery Rhyme).
2. anything that makes a soft place: »a cushion of moss under a tree.
3. a thing shaped or used like a cushion: a) a small pillow used in making lace. b) a pad worn by women under the hair. c) = pincushion. (Cf. ↑pincushion)4. a) anything that softens, lessens, or protects from a shock, jar, or jolt. Air or steam forms a protective cushion in some machines. »The bush acted as a cushion to my fall.
b) Figurative. anything that lessens the effects of distress or adversity, relieves a burden, or makes for greater comfort or ease: »During her years of working she created a cushion of savings against sickness or retirement.
c) Figurative. a special benefit, especially a reduction or relief: »a tax cushion.
5. the elastic padding on the sides of a billiard table.6. the layer of soft rubber in the casing of a pneumatic tire.–v.t.1. to put or seat on a cushion; support with cushions: »The nurse cushioned the patient's head.
2. to supply with a cushion or cushions: »to cushion a chair.
3. to protect (a machine or machine part) from sudden shocks or jars with a cushion of steam or air.4. Figurative. to soften or ease the effects of; protect: »His family's wealth had always cushioned him against failure. Nothing could cushion the shock of his father's death.
5. Figurative. to suppress quietly; ignore: »There my courage failed: I preferred to cushion the matter (Charlotte Brontë).
6. Figurative. to soften: »Please cushion your voice.
╂[< Old French coissin, coussin seat cushion, probably < Vulgar Latin coxīnum < Latin coxa hip]–cush´ion|like´, adjective.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
