Pincushion

Pincushion

A pincushion (or less commonly pin cushion) is a small cushion, typically 3-5 cm across, which is used in sewing to store pins or needles with their heads protruding so as to take hold of them easily.

Pincushions are typically filled tightly, so as to hold pins rigidly once placed.

The distinctive appearance of a pin-filled pincushion has resulted in the term being used for a variety of other things including
several varieties of plants, and a type of sea star. In addition, the form of the cushion itself has lended its name to the phenomenon of pincushion distortion in optics and video displays.

External links

* [http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/collections/childcare/birth/layette_pincushion/index.html Layette pincushions] (read about pincushions at the [http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc V&A Museum of Childhood] )


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pincushion — Pin cush ion, n. A small cushion, in which pins may be stuck for use. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pincushion — ► NOUN 1) a small pad for holding pins. 2) optical distortion in which straight lines along the edge of a screen or lens bulge towards the centre …   English terms dictionary

  • pincushion — [pin′koosh΄ən] n. a small cushion in which pins and needles are stuck to keep them handy …   English World dictionary

  • pincushion — UK [ˈpɪnˌkʊʃ(ə)n] / US noun [countable] Word forms pincushion : singular pincushion plural pincushions a small soft object in which you keep pins and needles …   English dictionary

  • pincushion — 1. noun a) A small device designed to receive sewing pins, usually pillow like; more recently also magnetic. Insulin dependant diabetics are human pincushions. b) Someone who receives regular hypodermic needle injections. 2. verb To multiply… …   Wiktionary

  • pincushion — [[t]pɪ̱nkʊʃ(ə)n[/t]] pincushions also pin cushion N COUNT A pincushion is a very small cushion that you stick pins and needles into so that you can get them easily when you need them …   English dictionary

  • Pincushion ray — Conservation status Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Pincushion plant — The distinctive appearance of a pincushion has resulted in the term pincushion plant being used as the common name for a variety of plants:* plants of the genus Chaenactis , known simply as pincushions * plants of the genus Leucospermum * plants… …   Wikipedia

  • Pincushion (song) — Infobox Single Name = Pincushion Artist = ZZ Top from Album = Antenna B side = Released = 1994 Format = 7 Recorded = 1993 Genre = Hard rock Length = 4:33 Label = Warner Bros. Writer = Billy Gibbons Dusty Hill Frank Beard Producer = Bill Ham… …   Wikipedia

  • pincushion distortion — noun : distortion (as by an optical instrument or television receiver) in which the image of a straight line appears to be curved convexly toward the axis compare barrel distortion * * * Optics. a distortion produced by a lens in which the… …   Useful english dictionary

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