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| cushion [ ksh'n ] |
noun (plural cushions) |
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| Definition: |
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1. soft filled bag for sitting on: a fabric case filled with soft material, used to sit or lean on
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2. soft protective pad: a pad that is used for support, to rest against, to protect against damage, or as a shock absorber
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3. something soft and yielding: something that gives slightly when pressed
  a cushion of moss at the foot of the tree
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4. something helpful: something that limits the effect of an unpleasant situation
An unexpected legacy provided a cushion when her savings ran out.
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5. cue games billiard table rim: the raised rim around the top of a snooker or billiard table that borders its playing surface
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6. transport
Same as air cushion (sense 1)
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7. handicraft accessory for making lace: a pillow for supporting the tools used in making lace
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transitive verb (3rd person present singular cushions, present participle cushioning, past and past participle cushioned) |
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| Definition: |
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1. protect somebody or something against impact: to protect somebody or something against the effects of physical impact
A pile of sand cushioned his fall.
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2. reduce unpleasantness: to lessen the effect of an unpleasant situation, especially one involving money
a generous pension to cushion the blow of early retirement
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3. support something with cushion: to support or rest something on a cushion or other soft object
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4. pad something: to pad something with cushions or some other soft spongy material
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| [14th century. < French coussin, literally '(support for the) hip' < Latin coxa 'hip'] |
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| cushiony adjective |
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