cush|ion

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.