Decrease and Cushion

decrease

A change downward.
- usage: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
- synonyms: lessening, drop-off
A process of becoming smaller or shorter.
- synonyms: decrement
The amount by which something decreases.
- synonyms: decrement
The act of decreasing or reducing something.
- synonyms: diminution, reduction, step-down

Decrease in size, extent, or range.
- usage: "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"
- synonyms: diminish, lessen, fall
Make smaller.
- usage: "He decreased his staff"
- synonyms: lessen, minify

(v.t.) To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
(v.) A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
(n.) To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc. or in strength, quality or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
(v.) The wane of the moon.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

cushion

(v.t.) To seat or place on or as on a cushion.
(n.) a mass of steam in the end of the cylinder of a steam engine to receive the impact of the piston.
(n.) the elastic edge of a billiard table.
(n.) Anything resembling a cushion in properties or use.
(v.t.) To furnish with cushions; as, to cushion a chaise.
(v.t.) To conceal or cover up, as under a cushion.
(n.) A riotous kind of dance, formerly common at weddings; -- called also cushion dance.
(n.) A case or bag stuffed with some soft and elastic material, and used to sit or recline upon; a soft pillow or pad.
(n.) a pad on which gilders cut gold leaf.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

A mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses.
- usage: "the old car needed a new set of shocks"
- synonyms: shock absorber, shock
The layer of air that supports a hovercraft or similar vehicle.
A soft bag filled with air or a mass of padding such as feathers or foam rubber etc..

In the context of project financing, the extra amount of net cash flow remaining after expected debt service.