MATTRESS (O.Fr. materas, mod. matelas; the origin is the Arab. al-materah,

See also:

• CUSHION (from O. Fr. coisson, coussin; according to the New English Dict., from Lat. coxa, a hip; others say from Lat. culcita, a quilt)

cushion, whence Span. and

See also:

• PORT

Port. almadraque, Ital. materasso)  , the padded foundation of a bed, formed of canvas or other stout material stuffed with wool, hair, flock or straw; in the last case it is properly known as a " palliasse " (Fr. paille, straw; Lat. palea); but this term is often applied to an under-mattress stuffed with substances other than straw . The padded mattress on which lay the feather-bed has been replaced by the wire-mattress," a network of wire stretched on a light wooden or iron frame, which is either a separate structure or a component part of the bedstead itself . The "wire-mattress" has taken the place of the " spring mattress," in which spiral springs support the stuffing . The term " mattress " is used in engineering for a mat of brushwood, faggots, &c., corded together and used as a foundation or as surface in the construction of dams, jetties, dikes, &c .