\Cush"ion\ (k??sh"?n), n. [OE. cuischun, quisshen, OF.
coissin, cuissin, F. coussin, fr. (assumed) LL. culcitinum,
dim. of L. culcita cushion, mattress, pillow. See {Quilt},
and cf. {Counterpoint} a {coverlet}.]
1. A case or bag stuffed with some soft and elastic material,
   and used to sit or recline upon; a soft pillow or pad.
         Two cushions stuffed with straw, the seat to raise.
                                               --Dryden.
2. Anything resembling a cushion in properties or use; as:
   (a) a pad on which gilders cut gold leaf;
   (b) a mass of steam in the end of the cylinder of a steam
       engine to receive the impact of the piston;
   (c) the elastic edge of a billiard table.
3. A riotous kind of dance, formerly common at weddings; --
   called also {cushion dance}. --Halliwell.
{Cushion capital}.(Arch.) A capital so sculptured as to
   appear like a cushion pressed down by the weight of its
   entablature.
   (b) A name given to a form of capital, much used in the
       Romanesque style, modeled like a bowl, the upper part
       of which is cut away on four sides, leaving vertical
       faces.
{Cushion star} (Zo["o]l.) a pentagonal starfish belonging to
   {Goniaster}, {Astrogonium}, and other allied genera; -- so
   called from its form.

\Cush"ion\ (k??sh"?n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cushioned}
(-?nd); p. pr. & vb. {Cushioning}.]
1. To seat or place on, or as on a cushion.
         Many who are cushioned on thrones would have
         remained in obscurity.                --Bolingbroke.
2. To furnish with cushions; as, to cushion a chaise.
3. To conceal or cover up, as under a cushion.
{Cushioned hammer}, a dead-stroke hammer. See under
   {Dead-stroke}.