comfort

comfort [kum′fərt]

vt.

[ME comforten < OFr conforter, to comfort < LL (esp. in Vulg. of O.T.) confortare, to strengthen much < L com-, intens. + fortis, strong: see FORT¹]

1. to soothe in distress or sorrow; ease the misery or grief of; bring consolation or hope to

2. to give a sense of ease to

3. Law to help; aid

n.

1. aid; encouragement: now only in aid and comfort

2. relief from distress, grief, etc.; consolation

3. a person or thing that comforts

4. a state of ease and quiet enjoyment, free from worry, pain, or trouble

5. anything that makes life easy or comfortable

☆ 6. a quilted bed covering; comforter

comforting

adj.

comfortless

adj.

SYN.- COMFORT suggests the lessening of misery or grief by cheering, calming, or inspiring with hope; CONSOLE¹ suggests less positive relief but implies a moderation of the sense of loss or disappointment [to console someone on the death of a parent ]; SOLACE suggests the relieving of melancholy, boredom, or loneliness [he solaced himself with music ]; RELIEVE suggests the mitigation, often temporary, of misery or discomfort so as to make it bearable [to relieve the poor ]; SOOTHE implies the calming or allaying of pain or distress [to soothe a fretful child ] -ANT. AFFLICT, DISTRESS