n (1)垫子，坐垫(kind of small bag filled with soft substance used for a person to lie，sit，or rest on comfortably)[C]：sit/kneel/lie on a ～坐/跪/躺在垫子上;The sofa has four～s.这沙发有四个坐垫。put a～under sb在身下垫一个垫子;〖同〗pillow，mat;

(2)垫状物，垫层(mass of sth soft)[C]：Hovercraft travel on a～of air.气垫船靠气垫行进。a～of moss on the rock岩石上的一层苔藓;The money he's saved is(acts)a～against rising prices/inflation.(fig)他的存款是防备物价上涨/通货膨胀的保证。

(3)(台球桌面内沿的)橡皮里衬(soft rubber border on the inside edges of a billiard table against which balls can be hit)[C];

vt (1)装垫子(furnish with a cushion or cushions)[T+n]：～ed seats装有垫子的座位;

(2)缓冲，减弱(lessen or soften the effects of impact)[T+n]：(chest protector)～the blow(护胸)缓冲了打击的力量;(soft snow)～the landing/sb's fall(松软的雪)缓冲了着陆的冲撞力/某人下落的撞击;A cut in income tax will～the blow when he loses his job/the blow of sharp price increases. 所得税的削减将缓解他一旦失业所受的打击/物价暴涨所造成的打击。〖同〗soften，suppress;

(3)使……免受(遭)(protect sb/sth(from sth harmful，hardship or sudden exchange)，sometimes excessively)[T+n，T+n+prep(against/from)]：～sb from unpleasant experiences使……避免不愉快的经历;(money)～sb against the effects of higher prices/the increase in taxes(钱)使……免受更高物价/税收增长的影响;lead a～ed life过安逸的生活