cushion capital

1 definition found

cushion capital - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cushion \Cush"ion\ (k??sh"?n), n. [OE. cuischun, quisshen, OF.
     coissin, cuissin, F. coussin, fr. (assumed) LL. culcitinum,
     dim. of L. culcita cushion, mattress, pillow. See Quilt,
     and cf. Counterpoint a coverlet.]
     1. A case or bag stuffed with some soft and elastic material,
        and used to sit or recline upon; a soft pillow or pad.
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              Two cushions stuffed with straw, the seat to raise.
                                                    --Dryden.
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     2. Anything resembling a cushion in properties or use; as:
        (a) a pad on which gilders cut gold leaf;
        (b) a mass of steam in the end of the cylinder of a steam
            engine to receive the impact of the piston;
        (c) the elastic edge of a billiard table.
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     3. A riotous kind of dance, formerly common at weddings; --
        called also cushion dance. --Halliwell.
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     Cushion capital.(Arch.) A capital so sculptured as to
        appear like a cushion pressed down by the weight of its
        entablature.
        (b) A name given to a form of capital, much used in the
            Romanesque style, modeled like a bowl, the upper part
            of which is cut away on four sides, leaving vertical
            faces.
  
     Cushion star (Zool.) a pentagonal starfish belonging to
        Goniaster, Astrogonium, and other allied genera; -- so
        called from its form.
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