Mat"tress (?), n. [OF. materas, F. matelas,
LL. matratium; cf. Sp. & Pg. almadraque,
Pr. almatrac; all from Ar. ma&tsdot;rah a place where anything is thrown, what is thrown under something, fr.
&tsdot;araha to throw.]
1. A quilted bed; a bed stuffed with hair, moss, or
other suitable material, and quilted or otherwise fastened.
[Written also matress.]
2. (Hydraulic Engin.) A mass of interwoven brush, poles, etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents or waves.
Hear it pronounced