• a bag of cloth stuffed with a mass of soft material, used as a comfortable support for sitting or leaning on

Synonyms: pillow, bolster, headrest

• something providing support or protection against impact

Synonyms: protection, buffer, shield, defence, bulwark

• soften the effect of an impact on

Synonyms: soften, lessen, diminish, decrease, mitigate, temper, allay, alleviate, reduce the effect of, take the edge off, dull, blunt, deaden, absorb, muffle, stifle, protect, shield, shelter, cocoon

• mitigate the adverse effects of

Synonyms: soften, lessen, diminish, decrease, mitigate, temper, allay, alleviate, reduce the effect of, take the edge off, dull, blunt, deaden, absorb, muffle, stifle