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pillow

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. (Science: machinery) A piece of metal or wood, forming a support to equalize pressure; a brass; a pillow block.

3. 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. Bure a pillowcase], a pillowcase; pillow slip.

(Science: machinery) Pillow block, 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.

Origin: OE. Pilwe, AS. Pyle, fr. L. Pilvinus.