mattress
UK[ˈmætrəs]US[ˈmætrəs]
n
a large, rectangular pad with a strong cover, filled with soft material, used as or on a bed.
Etymology
the word "mattress" entered english in the late 13th century from the old french "materas," which itself derived from the italian "materasso." this italian term came from the medieval latin "matracium," a borrowing from arabic "al-maṭraḥ," meaning "the place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." the arabic root "ṭ-r-ḥ" relates to throwing or spreading out, which conceptually links to a mat or cushion spread on the floor for sleeping. the journey from a term for a mat thrown on the ground to a sophisticated padded bed component illustrates the evolution of sleeping comforts and the linguistic transmission across mediterranean cultures.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword where the entire form is treated as a single unit for modern English analysis.
Examples
we need to buy a new, firmer mattress for the guest room.
the old mattress sagged in the middle, causing back pain.
she flipped the mattress to ensure even wear.