n 1  :  a usu. square or rectangular piece of often folded typically absorbent material (as gauze) fixed in place over some part of the body as a dressing or other protective covering  2  :  a part of the body or of an appendage that resembles or is suggestive of a cushion  :  a thick fleshy resilient part: as  a  :  the sole of the foot or underside of the toes of an animal (as a dog) that is typically thickened so as to form a cushion  b  :  the underside of the extremities of the fingers : esp  :  the ball of the thumb .
 
 
 
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