Comfort

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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Comfort — Com fort, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Comforted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Comforting.}] [F. conforter, fr. L. confortare to strengthen much; con + fortis strong. See {Fort}.] 1. To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate. [Obs.] Wyclif. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • comfort — n ease, *rest, repose, relaxation, leisure Analogous words: contentedness or content, satisfaction (see corre sponding adjectives under SATISFY vb): enjoyment, joy, fruition, *pleasure: relief, assuagement, alleviation (see corresponding verbs at …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 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… …   English World dictionary

  • Comfort — (Марина ди Кампо,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II , 57034 Марина …   Каталог отелей

  • Comfort — Comfort, TX U.S. Census Designated Place in Texas Population (2000): 2358 Housing Units (2000): 917 Land area (2000): 3.205519 sq. miles (8.302256 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.014612 sq. miles (0.037845 sq. km) Total area (2000): 3.220131 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Comfort, TX — U.S. Census Designated Place in Texas Population (2000): 2358 Housing Units (2000): 917 Land area (2000): 3.205519 sq. miles (8.302256 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.014612 sq. miles (0.037845 sq. km) Total area (2000): 3.220131 sq. miles (8.340101 …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • comfort — [n1] good feeling; ease abundance, alleviation, amenity, assuagement, bed of roses*, cheer, cheerfulness, complacency, contentment, convenience, coziness, creature comforts*, enjoyment, exhilaration, facility, gratification, happiness, luxury,… …   New thesaurus

  • comfort — ► NOUN 1) a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint. 2) (comforts) things that contribute to comfort. 3) consolation for grief or anxiety. ► VERB ▪ cause to feel less unhappy; console. DERIVATIVES comforting …   English terms dictionary

  • Comfort 24 — (Одесса,Украина) Категория отеля: Адрес: Frantsuzskiy Boulevard 16, Одесса, 65000, Украи …   Каталог отелей

  • Comfort — (engl.), 1) Hülfe; 2) Bequemlichkeit, Behaglichkeit; daher: Comfortabel (spr. Comfortäbl), bequem, behaglich …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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