Etymology Map
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Cushion

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a soft pad for sitting or leaning on; something that absorbs impact

Where does the word "cushion" come from? It comes from Latin coxa, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
coxa
Latin · ancient
"hip"
the Vulgar Latin 'coxinus' was a pad to sit on
2
Stage 2 of 3
coissin
Old French · medieval
"cushion"
a stuffed cloth bag for comfort on hard benches
3
Stage 3 of 3
cushion
English · 1300s
"a soft pad"
later used figuratively for anything that softens a blow
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Read the full story

Cushion’s story begins in Latin: coxa meant “hip.” The Vulgar Latin 'coxinus' was a pad to sit on. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as coissin. A stuffed cloth bag for comfort on hard benches. It reached English by 1300s as cushion. Later used figuratively for anything that softens a blow. Today, cushion means a soft pad for sitting or leaning on; something that absorbs impact.