pulvīnus, i, m., prop. an elevation.
I A cushion , bolster , squab , pillow to sit or lie upon: mane pulvinum, Plaut. Stich. 1, 2, 38: Crassum pulvinus poposcisse, Cic. de Or. 1, 7, 29; id. Verr. 2, 5, 11, § 27; id. Fam. 9, 18, 4: epistula super caput in pulvino posita, Sall. J. 71, 4: epistulam pulvino subicere, Curt. 3, 6, 7; Nep. Pelop. 3, 2.—
B Transf., a seat of honor : honestiorem te aut turpiorem potest facere pulvinus? Sen. Ira, 3, 37, 4; Cels. 3, 18; Sen. Cons. ad Marc. 16, 2; Suet. Tib. 73; id. Calig. 12; Mart. 3, 82, 7; Juv. 3, 154.—
II An elevation in the fields, a raised border , ridge , bank , bed , Varr. R. R. 1, 35, 1; Col. 11, 3, 20; Plin. 17, 21, 35, § 159; 19, 4, 20, § 60; 22, 22, 34, § 76; Pall. 3, 24, 13; Plin. Ep. 5, 6, 16.—
III A bolstering or surbase of brick, to cover the joint between the walls and floor of a barn, Col. 1, 6, 13.—
IV A sand-bank in the sea, Serv. Verg. A. 10, 302.—
V A structure of stone in the water , upon which to erect a pillar , Vitr. 5, 12, 3.—
VI A projecting part of a catapult , the pillow , bolster , Vitr. 10, 15.