cushion
cush·ion / ˈkoŏshən/ • n. a pillow or pad stuffed with a mass of soft material, used as a comfortable support for sitting or leaning on. ∎ something providing support or protection against impact: the pad forms a cushion between carpet and floor | fig. a poll showed the candidate with a 14-point cushion. ∎ the elastic lining of the sides of a billiard table, from which the ball rebounds. ∎ the layer of air supporting a hovercraft or similar vehicle.• v. [tr.] soften the effect of an impact on: the bag cushions equipment from inevitable knocks. ∎ fig. mitigate the adverse effects of: he called for federal assistance to cushion the blow for farmers.DERIVATIVES: cush·ioned adj.cush·ion·y adj.ORIGIN: Middle English: from Old French cuissin, based on a Latin word meaning ‘cushion for the hip,’ from coxa ‘hip, thigh’.
