~ 1
■ noun a warm bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of decorative stitching.
↘a bedspread of similar design.
■ verb [often as adjective ~ed ] join (layers of fabric or padding) with stitching to form a bed covering, a warm garment, or for decorative effect.
Derivatives
~er noun
~ing noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. cuilte , from L. culcita 'mattress, cushion'.
————————
~ 2
■ verb Austral. informal, dated punch (someone).
Origin
C19: perh. a transferred use of the verb ~ 1 (with the assoc. of ~ing for protection).