Mattress
/ˈmætrəs/noun
A large padded bed or sleeping pad.
Did you know?The English word came through Old French from Arabic, where related forms referred to something laid down to be used as a cushion or resting place, showing how everyday sleep words can travel with trade and cultural exchange.
Etymological Timeline
Arabic
Arabic
طرح
“to throw down, place down”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
طرح
“a thing thrown down; a cushion or bedding”
Old French
Old French
materas
“a mattress, cushion”
Middle English
English
mattras
“a stuffed bed or cushion”
Modern English
English
mattress
“a padded bed or sleeping pad”