Pillow

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɪləʊ/
• Rhymes: -ɪləʊ

Origin

From Middle English pilwe, from Old English pylwe, pylu, pyle ("pillow"), from Proto-Germanic *pulwį̄ ("pillow"), from Latin pulvīnus ("cushion"), of unknown origin. Cognate with Dutch peluw ("pillow, bolster"), German Pfühl ("pillow").

Full definition of pillow

Noun

1. A soft cushion used to support the head in bed.
2. (geology) A pillow lava.
3. (engineering) A piece of metal or wood, forming a support to equalize pressure; a brass; a pillow block.
4. (nautical) A block under the inner end of a bowsprit.
5. A kind of plain, coarse fustian.

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To rest as on a pillow.
• 1942: She had pillowed her head on her arm — Rebecca West, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (Canongate 2006, p. 815-6)