I. ˈku̇shən sometimes -shin noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English cuisshin, cusshin, from Middle French coissin, cussin, coussin, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin coxinus, from Latin coxa hip + -inus -ine — more at coxa
1.
a. : a bag or case made typically of cloth, upholstery, or matting that is stuffed with a soft or resilient material and used for sitting, reclining, or kneeling : pillow , pad
b. : the cushion on the seat of a ruler or judge often regarded as a symbol of his office
c. : the cushion on which a Bible or other book rests on a lectern
d. : a cushion regarded as a symbol of ease and luxury
2. : a part resembling a pad: as
a. : the fleshy part of the rump of the horse or pig
b.
(1) : the frog of a horse's hoof
(2) : the pad just above the hoof
c. : the fleshy foreface or top lips of certain animals (as the bulldog)
d. : pulvillus
e. : the ball of the thumb
f. : the soft feathers about the base of the tail of a hen especially when present in excess
g. : strawberry comb
h. : a boned shoulder of pork or lamb with a pocket for stuffing
3. : something resembling a cushion in properties or use: as
a. : pillow 3
b. : pincushion
c. : rat 3
d. : bustle
e. : the pad of springy rubber affixed along the upper part of the inside of the rim of a billiard table or pool table — called also bank
f. : the head of a drill brace
g. : a padded insole : a padded insert in a shoe at the ball or heel
h. : a strip of soft resilient rubber between the breaker and carcass of a pneumatic tire to secure the adhesion of carcass to tread and assist in protecting the former
i.
(1) : an architectural part (as a frieze) that projects convexly — compare cushion capital
(2) : the top stone of a pier supporting an arch
j. : an artificial pool provided to absorb the kinetic energy of falling water and so prevent erosion
k. : an elastic body (as of air or steam) for reducing shock ; especially : the steam allowed to remain in an engine cylinder after exhaust in order to avoid shock by reducing the momentum of the reciprocating parts
l. : a layer of fine material (as sand, granulated slag, bituminous mastic, or stone screenings) placed on top of a foundation for a block pavement
m. or cush·ion·ing -sh(ə)niŋ, -shin- : a structure or material used to separate and protect goods in transit from shock and damage
n. : a felt mat laid under a large rug to ease the effect of wear
o. : a pad on which gold leaf is placed to be cut
4. obsolete : a swelling like that of pregnancy
5.
a. : something serving to mitigate the effects of economic disturbances
public works to provide jobs as a cushion against unemployment
: a factor that lessens adverse developments in the economy and limits price declines in markets; especially : a monetary reserve for use in special circumstances
a thickened cushion of liquid assets for protection — New York Herald Tribune
b. : margin : reserve supply
a cushion of resources
6. : a medical method, procedure, or drug that eases a patient's discomfort without necessarily affecting his basic condition
7. : program material that can be lengthened, shortened, or omitted entirely to make a radio or television program end exactly on time
II. transitive verb
( cushioned ; cushioned ; cushioning -sh(ə)niŋ, -shin- ; cushions )
1. : to seat (a person) on a cushion : prop up or make comfortable with cushions
nurses cushioning his injured shoulder
2.
a. : to suppress by ignoring
cushioning the scandalous occurrence
b. : to mitigate the effects of : palliate : protect by absorbing or checking harmful force or shock : keep from harm or shock as if with a cushion
cushioning the blow
cushioning the public from disappointment
3. : to provide or equip with a cushion or cushions : pad
cushion the wooden seats
: protect from jarring effects with or as if with a cushion
soft tires that cushion the ride
4. : to check gradually so as to minimize shock due to the inertia of moving parts
cushion a piston by leaving some steam in the cylinder after exhaust
III. noun
: a comfortable lead
a 4-0 cushion in the ninth inning