pulvinar

[ puhl-vahy-ner ]

noun

, plural pul·vi·nar·i·a [puhl-v, uh, -, nair, -ee-, uh].

1. (in ancient Rome)
   1. a cushioned couch kept in readiness for any visitation of a god.
   2. a cushioned seat at a circus.
2. Also called pulvinus. (on an Ionic capital) either of two convex forms having on their ends two of the volutes.

adjective

1. pulvinate ( def 3 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulvinar¹

1590–1600; (noun) < Latin pulvīnar cushioned couch, equivalent to pulvīn ( us ) cushion + -ar, shortening of -āre, neuter of āris -ar ¹; (adj.) pulvin(us) + -ar ¹

Example Sentences

In mattis nulla vitae pulvinar porttitor.

From Seattle Times

Nam ut cursus turpis, pulvinar condimentum dui.

From Seattle Times

Tyborowska, A., Volman, I., Smeekens, S., Toni, I. & Roelofs, K. Testosterone during puberty shifts emotional control from pulvinar to anterior prefrontal cortex.

From Nature

Vestibulum bibendum eget eros nec pulvinar.

From National Geographic

Phasellus rutrum pulvinar nunc sit amet scelerisque.

From National Geographic