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   cushion

   /ˈkʊʃn/

   noun

   • 1. a bag of cloth stuffed with a mass of soft material, used as a comfortable support for sitting or leaning on: "comfortable chairs and sofas piled with cushions" Similar pillowbolsterheadrestscatter cushionfloor cushionbeanbagbooster cushionsquabhassockkneelermathistorical:pillionrare:zabuton
   • 2. something providing support or protection against impact: "underlay forms a cushion between carpet and floor" Similar protectionbuffershielddefencebulwark
   • ▪ 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.

   verb

   • 1. soften the effect of an impact on: "the bag cushions equipment from inevitable knocks" Similar softenlessendiminishdecreasemitigatetemperallayalleviatereduce the effect oftake the edge offdullbluntdeadenabsorbmufflestifleprotectshieldsheltercocoonOpposite intensifyexacerbateexpose
   • 2. mitigate the adverse effects of: "to cushion the blow, wages and pensions were increased" Similar softenlessendiminishdecreasemitigatetemperallayalleviatereduce the effect oftake the edge offdullbluntdeadenabsorbmufflestifleOpposite intensifyexacerbate

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French cuissin, based on a Latin word meaning ‘cushion for the hip’, from coxa ‘hip, thigh’. The Romans also had a word cubital ‘elbow cushion’, from cubitus ‘elbow’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. cushiony adjective

   Scrabble Points: 12

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