cushion
noun [ C ] uk/ˈkʊʃ.ən/ us/ˈkʊʃ.ən/
(SOFT THING)
B1 (US also pillow)垫子;座垫;靠垫
a bag made of cloth, plastic, or leather that is filled with soft material, often has an attractive cover, and is used especially on chairs for sitting or leaning on
She sank back against/into the cushions. 她向后靠在垫子上。
See also: pincushion
cushion of air 气垫
a layer of air often used to support a machine or vehicle
A hovercraft travels on a cushion of air. 气垫船悬浮在气垫上行驶。
He realised that a heavy boat could be supported by a cushion of air.
The train will float on a magnetic cushion of air, just above the track.
The air hockey puck moves so quickly because it's sitting on a cushion of air, so it never touches the table top.
The iron is a pleasure to use, gliding as it does on a cushion of air.
Floating on a cushion of air, the vehicle can travel over land or sea.
- More examples
- Stuff the cushion and then sew up the final seam.
- My aunt was busy straightening furniture and plumping cushions.
- The cushions blend well with the colour of the carpet.
- The new yellow cushions nicely set off the pale green of the chair covers.
(PROTECTION)
C2 起保护（或缓冲）作用的事物
something that makes the effects of a bad situation less severe
You should aim to build up a cushion of money in case of emergencies. 你应该尽量留一些应急的钱。
cushion
verb [ T ] uk/ˈkʊʃ.ən/ us/ˈkʊʃ.ən/
对（某事物的影响或力量）起缓冲作用
to make the effect or force of something softer
The soft grass cushioned his fall. 柔软的草地减缓了他摔落时的冲力。
The striker cushioned the ball on his chest and turned and volleyed it into the net.
Idiom
cushion the blowidiom 缓解打击；缓和不良状况
to make a bad situation less serious
He's lost his job, but the redundancy money will cushion the blow. 他丢了工作，不过遣散费会减轻对他的打击。