Mattress
Pronunciation : Mat"tress
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OF. materas, F. matelas, LL. matratium; cf. Sp. & Pg. almadraque, Pr. almatrac; all from Ar. matsrah a place where anything is thrown, what is thrown under something, fr. tsaraha to throw.]
Definition : 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.)
Defn: A mass of interwoven brush, poles, etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents or waves.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913