Comfort

Comfort Com"fort, n. [OF. confort, fr. conforter.] 1. Assistance; relief; support. [Obs. except in the phrase ``aid and comfort.'' See 5 below.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Encouragement; solace; consolation in trouble; also, that which affords consolation. [1913 Webster]

In comfort of her mother's fears. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Cheer thy spirit with this comfort. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Speaking words of endearment where words of comfort availed not. --Longfellow. [1913 Webster]

3. A state of quiet enjoyment; freedom from pain, want, or anxiety; also, whatever contributes to such a condition. [1913 Webster]

I had much joy and comfort in thy love. --Phil. 7 (Rev. Ver.). [1913 Webster]

He had the means of living in comfort. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [U. S.] [1913 Webster]

5. (Law) Unlawful support, countenance, or encouragement; as, to give aid and comfort to the enemy.

Syn: {Comfort}, {Consolation}.

Usage: Comfort has two meanings:

1. Strength and relief received under affliction;

2. Positive enjoyment, of a quiet, permanent nature, together with the sources thereof; as, the comfort of love; surrounded with comforts; but it is with the former only that the word consolation is brought into comparison. As thus compared, consolation points to some specific source of relief for the afflicted mind; as, the consolations of religion. Comfort supposes the relief to be afforded by imparting positive enjoyment, as well as a diminution of pain. ``Consolation, or comfort, signifies some alleviation to that pain to which it is not in our power to afford the proper and adequate remedy; they imply rather an augmentation of the power of bearing, than a diminution of the burden.'' --Johnson. [1913 Webster]