mattress Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a bed

WordNet

Mat"tress noun
Etymology
OF. materas, F. matelas, LL. matratium; cf. Sp. & Pg. almadraque, Pr. almatrac; all from Ar. ma&tsdot;rah a place where anything is thrown, what is thrown under something, fr. &tsdot;araha to throw.
Definitions
  1. A quilted bed; a bed stuffed with hair, moss, or other suitable material, and quilted or otherwise fastened. Written also matress.
  2. (Hydraulic Engin.) A mass of interwoven brush, poles, etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents or waves.

Webster 1913