Mattress

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Mattress \Mat"tress\, n. [OF. materas, F. matelas, LL.
     matratium; cf. Sp. & Pg. almadraque, Pr. almatrac; all from
     Ar. ma[.t]rah a place where anything is thrown, what is
     thrown under something, fr. [.t]araha to throw.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. A large pad stuffed with hair, moss, or other suitable


        soft material, and quilted or otherwise fastened, used as
        or in a bed, to support the human body while lying down.
        [Written also {matress}.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Hydraulic Engin.) A mass of interwoven brush, poles,
        etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents
        or waves.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {innerspring mattress} A variety of mattress[1] having
        springs inside to provide a flexible support; it is
        considered more comfortable than a stuffed mattress.
        [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  mattress
       n : a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often
           incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a
           bed