n.
Pronunciation: ' ku ̇ -sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English cusshin, from Anglo-French cussin, quissin, from Vulgar Latin *coxinus, from Latin coxa hip ― more at COXA
Date: 14th century
1 : a soft pillow or pad usually used for sitting, reclining, or kneeling
2 : a bodily part resembling a pad
3 : something resembling a cushion: as a : PILLOW 2 b : RAT 3 c : a pad of springy rubber along the inside of the rim of a billiard table d : a padded insert in a shoe e : an elastic body for reducing shock f : a mat laid under a large rug to ease the effect of wear
4 a : something (as an economic factor or a medical procedure) serving to mitigate the effects of disturbances or disorders b : a reserve supply (as of money) c : a comfortable lead <a 4-0 cushion in the ninth inning>
– cush · ion · less \ -l ə s \ adjective
– cush · iony \ -sh ə -n ē \ adjective