hammock

hammock (HAM-uhk) - n., a swinging couch or bed, usually made of netting or canvas, slung from supports at each end.



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They were known and used in Europe before Columbus, but it's through Columbus (in his account of his first voyage) that we have this name: we got it from his Spanish transcription hamaca of Taíno hamaka. In fact, this pic is so bizarre I have to include it as well -- that's supposed to be a personification of America arising from her hammock:


Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.