Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Pillow?

\Pil"low\, n. [OE. pilwe, AS. pyle, fr. L. pilvinus.] 1. Anything used to support the head of a person when reposing; especially, a sack or case filled with feathers, down, hair, or other soft material. [Resty sloth] finds the down pillow hard. --Shak. 2. (Mach.) A piece of metal or wood, forming a support to equalize pressure; a brass; a pillow block. [R.] 3. (Naut.) A block under the inner end of a bowsprit. 4. A kind of plain, coarse fustian. {Lace pillow}, a cushion used in making hand-wrought lace. {Pillow bier} [OE. pilwebere; cf. LG. b["u]re a pillowcase], a pillowcase; pillow slip. [Obs.] --Chaucer. {Pillow block} (Mach.), a block, or standard, for supporting a journal, as of a shaft. It is usually bolted to the frame or foundation of a machine, and is often furnished with journal boxes, and a movable cover, or cap, for tightening the bearings by means of bolts; -- called also {pillar block}, or {plumber block}. {Pillow lace}, handmade lace wrought with bobbins upon a lace pillow. {Pillow of a plow}, a crosspiece of wood which serves to raise or lower the beam. {Pillow sham}, an ornamental covering laid over a pillow when not in use. {Pillow slip}, a pillowcase.
\Pil"low\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pillowed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pillowing}.] To rest or lay upon, or as upon, a pillow; to support; as, to pillow the head. Pillows his chin upon an orient wave. --Milton.