mattress

Definition

A pad on which a person can recline and sleep, usually having an inner section of coiled springs covered with foam or other cushioning material then enclosed with cloth fabric.

Etymology

From Middle English materas, from Old French, from Arabic مَطْرَح (maṭraḥ, “place where something is thrown”), from طَرَحَ (ṭaraḥa, “to throw”). Compare divan, from Persian via Turkish (both of Middle Eastern origin, due to the local custom of lying on padding on floor being foreign to Europeans).

Example Sentences

• "Spun glass mattresses are used for lagging the boiler, which has three Ross pop safety valves on the front ring."
• "The boiler and firebox are lagged with a lightweight Fibreglass mattress."

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