mattress

[ ma-tris ]

noun

1. a large pad for supporting the reclining body, used as or on a bed, consisting of a quilted or similarly fastened case, usually of heavy cloth, that contains hair, straw, cotton, foam rubber, etc., or a framework of metal springs.
2. air mattress.
3. a mat woven of brush, poles, or similar material, used to prevent erosion of the surface of dikes, jetties, embankments, dams, etc.
4. a layer of concrete placed on bare ground, as to provide a footing; mat.
5. a layer of any material used to cushion, protect, reinforce, or the like.

mattress

/ ˈmætrɪs /

noun

1. a large flat pad with a strong cover, filled with straw, foam rubber, etc, and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or as part of a bed
2. Also calledDutch mattress a woven mat of brushwood, poles, etc, used to protect an embankment, dyke, etc, from scour
3. a concrete or steel raft or slab used as a foundation or footing Sometimes shortened tomat
4. a network of reinforcing rods or expanded metal sheeting, used in reinforced concrete
5. civil engineering another name for blinding

Word History and Origins

Origin of mattress¹

1250–1300; Middle English materas < Old French < Italian materasso < Arabic maṭraḥ mat, cushion

Word History and Origins

Origin of mattress¹

C13: via Old French from Italian materasso, from Arabic almatrah place where something is thrown

Example Sentences

“In the case of Ebola, a blood-splattered mattress may need to be thrown away,” he writes in another section.

From The Daily Beast

She maintains that her mattress-carrying stunt is an “art piece,” not a protest.

From The Daily Beast

Matthew complained about his jail-issued coveralls and the mattress in his cell after he was captured in Texas.

From The Daily Beast

You tell Hassan to have the Iraqi army soldiers check the mattress.

From The Daily Beast

The mother unties the palm staves from the mattress, then takes the nylon ropes and ties the mattress to the boat.

From The Daily Beast

She folded them tightly in a handkerchief, and thrust the parcel as far as her arm could reach between the mattress and the bed.

From Project Gutenberg

Have both a feather bed and a mattress upon the bedstead, that she may place whichever she prefers uppermost.

From Project Gutenberg

The peasant woman went on her way meditating in what old stocking or under what mattress she should hide her two gold pieces.

From Project Gutenberg

Mata assisted him to slip down carefully between the mattress and the thin coverlid.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Kari swung his trunk around, pulled down the mattress from his back, and putting it on the ground tried to step on it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bed
• cushion
• pallet