comfortn.

Brit.

/ˈkʌmfət/, U.S.

/ˈkəmfərt/

Forms: Middle English cunfort, kunfort, Middle English cumfort, Middle English–1500s confort(e, Middle English cumforte, cumford, conforth, conforþ, confforte, counfort, comfortd, Middle English coumforde, Middle English–1500s cumforth, coumfort(e, comforth(e, comforte, Middle English counforde, conford, confoorte, Middle English–1500s comford(e, 1500s comfurth, coomfort, Middle English– comfort.

Etymology: < Old French cunfort, confort (11th cent. in Littré) = Italian conforto , Old Spanish conforto , a noun apparently of Romanic age, from stem of confortāre , Old French conforter to comfort v. It took the place of Old English frofor, with which it is used indifferently in enumerating the nine urouren or ‘comforts’ against temptations, in Ancren Riwle p. 226 seq.

†1.

a. Strengthening; encouragement, incitement; aid, succour, support, countenance. upon comfort of: on the strength of. Obsolete except in archaic legal use (in aid and comfort).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun]

comfort?c1225

encourage1535

encouragement1550

comfortation1552

countenance1576

cover1581

couragement1603

patronage1610

abettance1781

championship1840

moral support1852

fautorship1863

affirmation1966

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 14 Of flesliche fondunge..& cumfort aȝeines ham.

1352 Act 25 Edw. III Stat. v. c. 2 Si home..soit aherdant as enemys nostre dit Seignour le Roi..donant a eux eid ou confort.]

a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 215 If..þei make ony gadering in coumfort of Richard, sumtyme kyng, þei to be punchid as tretoures.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 37 Þei þat consentun wiþ þe doars..or defendun, or ȝeuen conseyl or confort.

1493 Festivall (1515) 153 b He came in company of recheles people, & by comforte of them he lefte his faste and dyde ete.

1528 Bp. S. Gardiner in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. xxiv. 62 Upon comfurth of such words as his Ho. had spoken unto us.

1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII The comfort that the rebels should receiue vnderhand from the Earle of Kildare.

1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. 82 If a man be adherent to the king's enemies..giving to them aid and comfort.

†b. concrete. One who or that which strengthens or supports; a support, a source of strength. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [noun] > that which or one who supports

crutchc900

upholda1066

uptakinga1300

arma1382

postc1387

staff1390

sustainerc1390

undersetterc1400

potent?a1439

buttressa1450

supportalc1450

comfort1455

supporta1456

studa1500

poge1525

underpropper1532

shore1534

staya1542

prop1562

stoopa1572

underprop1579

sustentation1585

rest1590

underpinning1590

supportance1597

sustinent1603

lean1610

reliance1613

hingea1616

columna1620

spar1630

gable end1788

lifeboat1832

standback1915

the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports

staffc1000

hold1042

source1359

legc1380

shorer1393

stabilimenta1398

upholder1398

sustentationa1400

undersetterc1400

bearinga1425

undersettinga1425

suppowellc1430

triclinec1440

sustentaclec1451

supportera1475

sustainerc1475

sustenal1483

stayc1515

buttress1535

underpinning1538

firmament1554

countenance1565

support1570

appuia1573

comfort1577

hypostasis1577

underpropping1586

porter1591

supportation1593

supportance1597

understaya1603

bearer1607

rest1609

upsetter1628

mountinga1630

sustent1664

underlay1683

holdfast1706

abutment1727

suppeditor1728

mount1739

monture1746

bed1793

appoggiatura1833

bracing1849

bench1850

under-pinner1859

bolster-piece1860

sustainer1873

table mount1923

1455 Paston Lett. 239 I. 329 We..prey to The to be oure confort and Defender.

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 50^v You must haue a little walled Hedge, to teache the springes..to clime by, whiche wyl be a iolly stay and a comfort to them.

†2. Physical refreshment or sustenance; refreshing or invigorating influence. (Cf. comfort v. 4.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > [noun] > that which or one who refreshes or invigorates

spice?c1225

comfort1377

refresherc1450

refreshment1532

reviver1542

sauce1561

salt1579

refocillation1608

whettera1625

fillip1699

stimulant1728

stimulation1733

yeast1769

stimulus1791

inspiriter1821

stimulatory1821

refreshener1824

boost1825

bracer1826

young blood1830

freshener1838

invigoratorc1842

blow1849

tonic1849

elevation1850

stimulator1851

breather1876

pick-me-up1876

a shot in the arm1922

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xi. 253 On a walnot..is a bitter barke, And after þat bitter barke..Is a kirnelle of conforte kynd to restore.

1543 T. Becon Invect. against Swearing in Wks. (1564) 212 b They would tast..not so much as a poore alebery for the comfort of their hart.

1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxxiii That we may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort.

1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) iii. sig. G4 Clouds..rais'd by the comfort of The Sunne, to water dry and barren grounds.

concrete.1631 G. Markham Inrichm. Weald of Kent (1668) ii. i. 2 Holpen by some manner of comfort, as dung, marl, fresh earth..or such other refreshings.

†3. Pleasure, enjoyment, delight, gladness. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > [noun]

merrinesseOE

gladnessc900

mirtheOE

playeOE

dreamOE

gladshipc975

lissOE

willOE

hightOE

blithenessc1000

gladc1000

winOE

blissc1175

delices?c1225

delight?c1225

joy?c1225

comfortc1230

listc1275

gladhead1303

daintyc1325

fainnessc1340

lightnessa1350

delectationc1384

delightingc1390

comfortationa1400

fainheada1400

blithec1400

fainc1400

delicacyc1405

gladsomeness1413

reveriea1425

joyousitiea1450

joyfulnessc1485

jucundity1536

joyousness1549

joc1560

delightfulness1565

jouissance1579

joyance1590

levitya1631

revelling1826

chuckle1837

joyancy1849

a song in one's heart1862

delightsomeness1866

c1230 Hali Meid. 27 Hare confort & hare delit hwerin is hit al?

a1400–50 Alexander 8 Sum..has comforth to carpe..Of curtaissy of knyȝthode, of craftis of armys.

c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 773 Confort ne murthe is noon To ryde by the weye domb as stoon.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 380 When these Justes had continued…xxiiij. dayes, to the great ioye and comforte of the young lustie Bachelers.

†4. Relief or aid in want, pain, sickness, etc. Obsolete. (Cf. comfort v. 6.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [noun] > aid in want, pain, sickness, etc.

comforta1340

cherisance1658

a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxlvi. 3 His byndyngis is þe sacramentis in þe whilke we hafe comforth til we perfytly be hale.

c1400 Rom. Rose 6508 Lete bere hem [beggers] to the spitel anoon, But, for me, comfort gete they noon.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 132 Many..came vnto the Citie, and nere thereabout for comfort of victuall.

1570 Ane Tragedie in J. G. Dalyell Scotish Poems 16th Cent. (1801) II. 234 To gif the wedow and fatherles confort.

1647 A. Cowley Mistress Despair, No comfort to my wounded sight, In the Suns busie and impert'nent Light.

a. Relief or support in mental distress or affliction; consolation, solace, soothing. (In later use sometimes expressing little more than the production of mental satisfaction and restfulness.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > consolation or relief

lightingOE

leathc1175

comfort?c1225

solacec1290

lithec1300

comfortingc1320

allegeancec1325

swaging1340

froa1350

releasec1350

consolationc1374

legeancec1390

reliefa1393

comfortationa1400

leathinga1400

swagea1400

allegementa1425

alleviation?a1425

recreation?a1425

refrigery?a1425

lighteningc1425

recomfortc1425

mitigation?1435

recomforting1487

recreancea1500

allevation1502

easement1533

solacy1534

ease1542

cheer1549

assuagement1561

refreshing1561

easing1580

recomfortation1585

recomforture1595

assuage1596

allevement1599

mitification1607

allayment1609

solagement1609

levation1656

solacement1721

solation1757

soulagement1777

consolement1797

de-tension1949

de-tensioning1952

tea and sympathy1953

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 137 Nan gastlich cumfort. nemei hire gladien.

c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 118 Euery confort possible..They doon to hire..to make hire leue hir heuynesse.

c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) v. 13 Make me solas and comfort, and chere me.

?1606 M. Drayton Eglog x, in Poemes sig. G8^v None else there is gives Comfort to my greefe.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xv. 13 Thy comforts can doe me no good at all.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. iii. 1 The great comfort That I haue had of thee.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. xii. 313 I wish I had any Comfort to send you.

1752 H. Fielding Amelia I. iii. iv. 195 Others applying for Comfort to strong Liquors.

1800 W. Wordsworth Michael 448 There is a comfort in the strength of love.

c1800 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 2 Thus..I became confident..amongst rocks and sands, which has..since been of the greatest comfort to me.

1884 M. E. Braddon Ishmael xli Such comfort as the Church can give to the remorseful sinner.

b. subjectively. The feeling of consolation or mental relief; the state of being consoled.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun]

comfort1340

lightness1357

consolationc1374

reliefa1393

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 2508 Comfort of gud hope may he fele, Þat here lyves wele, to fare wele.

c1394 P. Pl. Crede 99 My purpos is i-failed, Now is my counfort a-cast!

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. iii. 164 How well my comfort is reuiud by this.

1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda IV. viii. lxviii. 331 She had..a sense of solemn comfort.

c. transferred. A person or thing that affords consolation; a source or means of comfort.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > act, means, or source of consolation or relief

froverOE

comfortc1386

easec1440

sport1440

consolationc1460

recreatoryc1475

balm1540

balsamumc1540

solace1597

unction1604

balsama1616

demulceation1661

demulsion1661

alleviative1672

mitigation1726

salve1736

soother1794

consolement1797

heart-balm1828

c1386 T. Hoccleve Mother of God 15 Benigne confort of us wrecches all.

1465 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 298 He hath ben a grete confort to me.

1609 T. Playfere Serm. Woodstocke in Serm. Drayton 30 A treasure of comforts, gathered out of the olde and new testament.

1611 Bible (King James) Coloss. iv. 11 My fellow workers..which haue beene a comfort vnto me.

a1847 H. F. Lyte Remains (1850) 119 When other helpers fail, and comforts flee.

1856 D. M. Mulock John Halifax I. v. 102 Growing up to be a help and comfort to my father.

d. In weaker sense: A cause or matter of satisfaction or relief; a comforting fact or reflection. Chiefly colloquial in the phrases ‘it is a comfort to do’, ‘it is some comfort that’, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > act, means, or source of consolation or relief > cause or matter of consolation or relief

comfort1553

1553 in E. Lodge Illustr. Brit. Hist. (1791) I. 160 It was a great comforte to him to perceyve in the Kings yong years soch a consideracion of the public weal.

1641 Earl of Strafford Speech on Scaffold 5 It is a very great comfort to me, to have your Lordship by me this day.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. v. viii. 179 One Comfort is, they will be all known.

1825 W. Scott Jrnl. 18 Dec. (1939) 45 Nobody..can lose a penny—that is one comfort.

1873 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Wooin' o't xxvii It is a comfort to be able to speak to you.

a. A state of physical and material well-being, with freedom from pain and trouble, and satisfaction of bodily needs; the condition of being comfortable (see comfortable adj. 10).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun]

softa1400

makandec1450

self-ease1590

easefulnessa1639

snugness1766

comfortableness1783

comfort1814

cosiness1834

1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion i. 29 Their days were spent In peace and comfort .

1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. i. 4 Let present Rapture, Comfort, Ease, As Heaven shall bid them, come and go.

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 75 All industrious men could maintain themselves in comfort and prosperity.

1862 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris (1880) 2 At the cost of common health and comfort.

b. objectively. The conditions which produce or promote such a state; the quality of being comfortable (see comfortable adj. 7).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun] > quality of being comfortable

snugness1766

cosiness1834

comfort1849

hygge1960

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 384 William Harrison gave a lively description of the plenty and comfort of the great hostelries.

1884 M. E. Braddon Ishmael v Reared in the comfort and elegance of a successful artist's household.

7. concrete. A thing that produces or ministers to enjoyment and content. (Usually plural; distinguished from necessaries on the one hand, and from luxuries on the other.) creature comforts (see creature n. Compounds 2). So home comforts.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun] > material comfort(s)

ease1393

creature1540

creature comforts1641

comfortable1650

comfort1659

convenience1673

conveniency1712

home comfort1797

comforter1837

1659 J. Arrowsmith Armilla Catechetica 58 The Scripture useth diminishing terms when it speaks of creature-comforts.

1677 G. Miege New Dict. French & Eng. ii. sig. I/1 The comforts of this life.

1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker III. 205 Very moderate in his estimate of the necessaries, and even of the comforts of life.

1775 S. Johnson Taxation no Tyranny 11 Before they quit the comforts of a warm home.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 300 A modern Englishman..finds in his shooting box all the comforts and luxuries of his club.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. x. 66 Steeped in the creature comforts of our hotel.

1873 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Wooin' o't xxi Another..dainty apartment, supplied with every comfort.

8. A wadded and quilted counterpane; = comforter n. 6b (U.S.)

ΘΚΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > household linen > bedclothes > [noun] > outer cover > quilt

quilt1276

pourpoint1345

bed-quilt1765

razai1784

bed-cover1828

comforter1832

comfort1834

comfortable1842

yorgan1914

downie1947

1834 Southern Literary Messenger 1 168 A lady of our party..aptly compared it to a Yankee comfort.

1847 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Patents 1846 35 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (29th Congr., 2nd Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 52) III [Cotton] has already been employed in what are variously called ‘comforts’ and ‘comfortables’.

1863 Life in South II. 263 The quilted coverlets called ‘comforts’,—a wadded counterpane, in fact.

1913 G. Stratton-Porter Laddie xi. 339 Laddie had..hung up a comfort at four o'clock to keep the Princess warm.

1945 B. A. Botkin Lay My Burden Down 112 Then a great big mattress full of goose feathers and two-three comforts as thick as my foot with carded wool inside!

†9. Comfort is used by Shakespeare interjectionally; = Take comfort, cheer up. (Cf. comfort v. 7e.) Also what comfort? = What cheer?

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > expression of cheerfulness [interjection] > exhortation to be cheerful

comfort1597

heads up1854

cheers1915

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. i. 72 What comfort man? how ist with aged Gaunt?

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. ii. 71 Comfort my liege, why lookes your grace so pale.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 818 Comfort, good comfort. We must to the King.

10. Phrases. to be of (good) comfort: to be of good cheer; to keep up one's heart or courage (archaic). to take (†have) comfort: to accept consolation, be comforted. †to put in comfort: to encourage, cheer up, console. cold comfort: see cold adj. 10a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be consoled or relieved [verb (intransitive)]

to take (have) comfortc1320

solace1340

lightenc1440

cheer1590

comforta1616

expectorate1749

the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > be cheerful [verb (intransitive)]

to be of (good) comfortc1320

risea1400

to feel good1821

to have one's tail up1853

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve

froverc900

hearteOE

lighteOE

onlightc1175

salvec1175

leathc1200

solace1297

stillc1315

to put in comfortc1320

easec1385

comfort1389

fordilla1400

recomforta1400

ronea1400

solancea1400

cheer?a1425

acheerc1450

consolate1477

repease1483

dilla1500

recreate?a1500

sporta1500

dulcerate?1586

comfit1598

comfortize1600

reassure1604

sweeten1647

console1693

re-establish1722

release1906

the mind > emotion > courage > moral courage > stoicism > to be stiff-upper-lipped [verb]

to be of (good) comfortc1320

to be of good cheera1413

to stand buff1701

to keep (carry, have) a stiff upper lip1798

to die game1886

stiff-upper-lip1977

c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 2601 Sche saide Alas!.. N'el ich..confor[t] take neuer mo.

c1325 Coer de L. 5596 To hys men hys armes he badde, And sayde..Look ye ben off comfort good!

1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles Prol. 39 To kepe him in confforte in crist and nouȝt ellis.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7818 Was he neuer o wers comfortd.

c1440 Generydes 38 Whanne he was sadde, to putte hym in coumfort.

?1518 A. Barclay tr. D. Mancinus Myrrour Good Maners sig. Eiv Take confort, be of stoute courage.

1598 W. Phillip tr. J. H. van Linschoten Disc. Voy. E. & W. Indies i. xxxvi. 70/2 Putting her in comfort, & encouraging her to follow her husband.

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iv. i. 118 Haue comfort lady.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 331 You stand amaz'd, But be of comfort .

1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World ii. 16 We..bid them be of good comfort, and stay till the River did fall.

1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch IV. vii. lxxxiv. 342 Take comfort: perhaps James will forgive me.

Compounds

C1. comfort-killing, comfort-seeking adjs.

ΚΠ

1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. F3 O comfort-killing night, image of Hell.

1865 T. F. Knox tr. Life H. Suso 70 To mortify his comfort-seeking body.

1874 L. Tollemache in Fortn. Rev. Feb. 238 Our comfortable and comfort-seeking age.

C2.

comfort station n. U.S. Genteelism a public lavatory.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > sanitation > privy or latrine > [noun] > water-closet or lavatory > public

vespasienne1834

public lavatory1880

chalet1881

public toilet1895

rear1902

cottage1909

comfort station1923

public convenience1938

vespasian1938

facility1939

superloo1965

1923 Glass (Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.) 167 (heading) Public comfort stations.

1931 T. Wilder Long Christmas Dinner 121 Ma, where is the next comfort-station.

1947 W. H. Auden Age of Anxiety (1948) ii. 53 Ingenious George reached his journey's end Killed by a cop in a comfort station.

1957 D. Karp Leave me Alone xii. 165 Snatching Jimmy's hand she trudged across the sand with him to the comfort station.

1967 R. Shaw Man in Glass Booth xvii. 152 ‘Wash-room,’ said the old man. ‘Comfort station.’

Draft additions June 2016

letter of comfort n. Finance a document providing assurance about a debt, short of a legal guarantee, given to the debtor's creditor by a third party.

ΚΠ

1974 Wall St. Jrnl. 6 Dec. 17/5 We have never guaranteed Ervin's debt or signed letters of comfort or anything of that sort.

1992 S. Logie Winging It i. 24 ITC said it would guarantee the line of credit with Canadair's bankers by a letter of comfort signed by the minister.

2005 Managem. Today Dec. 25/3 The bankers agreed to put up the funds only when they were provided with ‘letters of comfort’ making it clear that if the companies involved could not pay the banks, the Government would make sure that they got their cash.

Draft additions June 2016

comfort blanket n. (a) U.S. a soft, thick blanket intended to be used in place of a quilted coverlet (see also sense 8) (now rare); (b) chiefly British = security blanket n. 2.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > [noun] > something which reassures

comfort blanket1908

blankie1921

transitional object1951

security blanket1954

Linus blanket1958

lovey1969

1908 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Sentinel 5 Oct. 3 (advt.) Beacon comfort blankets. In a splendid line of fancy figures and cheerful colors. Fine smooth fleece finish and full size.

1922 Findlay (Ohio) Republican 6 Dec. 6 (advt.) Comfort blankets are supplanting cotton comforts in popular use. The advantage of being able to wash them frequently is the big idea.

1947 Iowa City Press-Citizen 15 Sept. 3/5 (advt.) The perfect comfort blanket for cold winter nights ahead.

1986 N. Humphrey Inner Eye vi. 92 A child of 18 months may offer his own comfort blanket to mother when he detects that she is upset.

2015 Times 10 May 12 Walking away from the comfort blanket of a conventional job as an employee..to become an entrepreneur.

Draft additions August 2007

comfort break n. euphemistic (originally U.S.) a break taken to use the toilet.

ΚΠ

1959 Washington Post & Times Herald 21 May b13/2 The true television fan has dreadful manners... He complains loudly that he would welcome a commercial and a comfort break.

2001 A. Dangor Bitter Fruit (2004) xxv. 254 The Minister returned from his comfort break and the meeting resumed.

Draft additions 1997

comfort food n. food that comforts or affords solace; hence, any food (frequently with a high sugar or carbohydrate content) that is associated with childhood or with home cooking. Originally North American.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > food otherwise characterized > [noun] > comfort food

comfort food1962

1962 Independent (Pasadena, Calif.) 25 Jan. 31/2 People like soup. It’s what a psychologist would call a comfort food.

1977 Washington Post 25 Dec. (Mag. section) 30/4 Along with grits, one of the comfort foods of the South is black-eyed peas.

1984 Bon Appétit Feb. 56/1 Split Pea Soup with Smoked Ham, although it has become an international ‘comfort food’, is traced to French-Canadian cooks in Quebec.

1989 N.Y. Woman Oct. 136/2 After being dumped by her boyfriend, the heroine..goes to d'Agostino's to buy comfort food.

1990 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 16 Jan. 15/6 Even at fairly formal dinner parties, ‘comfort foods’ have starred—corn soup, meat loaf, cold black bean soup.

1992 Independent 15 Sept. 3/2 Single people..also tend to eat more ‘comfort foods’ such as cakes, biscuits and jam, though they balance this by spending a greater amount on fresh fruit.

Draft additions June 2015

comfort room n. (originally) a room in a public building or workplace furnished with amenities such as facilities for resting, personal hygiene, and storage of personal items (now rare); (later) a public toilet (now chiefly Philippine English); cf. restroom n.

ΚΠ

1886 Santa Fe Daily New Mexican 24 Dec. On the west side of the third floor..are the large public comfort rooms, closets, lavatories, cloak rooms, post-office, etc.

1920 Railway Age 2 Apr. 1087/1 The men are provided with comfort rooms, containing stoves, toilet facilities, wash basins, etc.

1929 Decatur (Illinois) Herald 7 Nov. 18/3 In the back of the retail salesroom..are women's and men's comfort rooms.

1985 F. Marcos in N.Y. Times 1 Nov. a10/5 I was able to urinate as much as 3,000 c.c. in one day... If you'd seen me going to the comfort room.

2009 C. S. Bond & L. M. Simons Next Front v. 56 A pink-painted ‘comfort room’, said to be the first indoor flush toilet on the island.

Draft additions August 2007

comfort stop n. originally U.S. a short stop intended to give passengers a break from a (long) bus or coach journey, esp. in order to use the toilet; (hence euphemistic) a short break taken from any journey or activity in order to use the toilet.

ΚΠ

1930 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 30 Mar. 13/4 To know the full pleasure and romance of travel, go the Greyhound way. Selected comfort stops and popular-priced restaurants at frequent intervals break the journey into easy stages.

1960 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 11 Mar. 16/5 As the white passengers filed off for a comfort stop, Griffin followed—but was stopped at the bus door by the driver.

1985 Times 9 Oct. 36/8 Food tends to be in fairly short supply among the Mujahidin, and the water often contains those bacteria that enforce frequent ‘comfort stops’ on unacclimatized westerners.

2002 S. Brown Lecturing x. 165 Late arrivals at your lectures may be because of difficulties getting across to a different building in a short time, with perhaps a necessary comfort stop en route.

Draft additions January 2018

comfort object n. a familiar object (such as a blanket, soft toy, etc.) which provides reassurance to a child when kept close or held; cf. security blanket n. 2.

ΚΠ

1957 Amer. Sociol. Rev. 22 707/1 (table) Child has or has had comfort object (blanket, etc.).

1995 Your Baby Winter 53/1 Some parents worry that a child will never give up a favoured comfort object.

2012 P. Druckerman Bringing up Bébé Gloss. p. xvii Doudou (doo-doo)—the obligatory comfort object for young children. It's usually a floppy stuffed animal.

Draft additions June 2021

comfort animal n. an animal whose presence comforts and soothes a person, esp. one who is experiencing trauma, depression, loneliness, or the like.comfort animal and emotional support animal are more general and less technical terms than therapy animal, but the uses may overlap: cf. emotional support n., therapy animal n. at Additions.

ΚΠ

1995 Washington Post 2 May a8/3 When the call went out for ‘comfort animals’, McCuan and his wife, Vicky, responded with their pets.

2016 Dayton (Ohio) Daily News (Nexis) 17 June a6 While it's not entirely clear whether comfort animals provide long-term benefits to those in pain, studies have shown that they can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

comfortv.

Brit.

/ˈkʌmfət/, U.S.

/ˈkəmfərt/

Forms: Middle English conforti, Middle English comforti, Middle English conforte, Middle English cumfort(e, conford, comfortie, comfortye, coumforte(n, cowmforte, Middle English cumforth(e, counfort(e, comford(e, Middle English–1500s comforth(e, comforte, confort, Middle English comfford, Middle English– comfort. (past tense comforted: in Middle English comfort, Middle English comforth, cumfort, confort, Middle English comferd, cumfurth; past tense and participle Middle English comford.)

Etymology: < Old French cun-, conforter (= Provençal confortar, Spanish confortar, Italian confortare) < Latin confortāre to strengthen, < con- intensive + fortis strong. (Used by Macer, ‘confortat stomachum’; frequent in Itala and Vulgate; for form, compare aggravāre.) The phonetic change of con- to com- is English.

†1.

a. transitive. To strengthen (morally or spiritually); to encourage, hearten, inspirit, incite. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)] > strengthen morally

comfortc1290

enforcec1386

supprise1447

fortify1477

strengthen1534

magnanimate1640

uphold1820

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] > strengthen or secure

comfortc1290

confirm1485

undergird1526

firm1639

c1290 Lives Saints (1887) 80 He [St. Matthew] prechede..And confortede þat clene maide..Euere þis guode man hire bi-souȝte þat heo clene lijf ladde.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2929 Þe king aurely is felawes confortede to fiȝte.

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke i. 80 The child waxide, and was comfortid in spirit.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21392 Constantine, luc vp..Til heuen-ward, and cumforth þe.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15527 Petre, comforth breþer þin quen i am ledd yow fra.

c1420 Anturs of Arth. iv Thay kest of hor cowpullus..Cumfordun hor kenettes.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Sam. ii. 7 Let youre hande now therfore be comforted, and be ye stronge.

1677 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 2) i. 18 The Call, a Lesson blowed on the Horn to comfort the Hounds.

†b. In a bad sense: To encourage in, or to, that which is evil. Obsolete. (Cf. 2.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] > chiefly in something bad

comfort1362

maintainc1390

abet1442

bolster1523

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 121 From care to counforte the false.

c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 328 Not to coumforte hem in here synne.

1521–32 J. Longland in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. iii. 95 I. 248 Comfortyng erronyous persons in ther opynyons.

1530 J. Rastell New Bk. Purgatory ii. viii. sig. d It shuld conforte a man to lyue vycyously.

†2. To lend support or countenance to; to support, assist, aid; to abet, countenance, ‘back up’. Formerly common in legal use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)]

shoveOE

to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1154

favour1362

abetc1380

sustainc1390

supportc1405

courage1470

comfort1481

friend1550

through-bear1554

countenance1568

foster1569

favourize1585

seconda1586

sidea1601

rally1624

feed1626

countenance1654

encourage1668

inserve1683

to go strong on1822

partake1861

sponsor1884

to hold a brief for1888

root1889

rah-rah1940

affirm1970

babysit1973

barrack-

1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. 26 For to amasse and gadre alway money wherin the deuyl conforteth hem.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 178 Feill sis confort scho the kyng Bath with siluer and vith met.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 74 As touchyng the death of the aforesaid Becket, to the which he sware that he was neither ayding nor comfortyng.

1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 2 Abbettors in murders are those that command, procure, counsell, or comfort others to murder.

1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 8 Guilty of comforting and assisting the Rebels.

†3.

a. To strengthen (physically), support; to make fast, secure. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)]

to bear upeOE

underbearc950

bearOE

holdc1000

weighc1200

to hold up1297

upholda1300

sustainc1330

undersetc1330

comforta1382

underbear1382

upbear1390

sustaina1398

upkeepc1412

carrya1425

supporta1425

chargea1500

convey1514

avoke1529

confirm1542

stay1548

to carry up1570

bolster1581

lift1590

upstay1590

atlas1593

sustent1605

statuminatea1628

firm1646

appui1656

establish1664

shoulder1674

to keep up1681

upheave1729

withhold1769

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > make fast [verb (transitive)]

fastenOE

firmc1374

comforta1382

to make (something) fasta1400

anchor1425

defix?a1475

harden?1523

steeve1554

lock1590

confixa1616

secure1615

succour1688

belay1751

sicker1824

snackle1887

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xli. 7 He coumfortide hym with nailes that it shulde not be moued.

1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ps. cxlvii. 13 He coumfortede the lockis of thi ȝatis.

1523–5 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Chron. I. 629 The other two were as wynges, to comfort the bataylles, if nede requyred.

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Aa2 Water..doth scatter..it selfe..except it be collected into some Receptacle, where it may by vnion, comfort and sustaine it selfe.

†b. figurative. To confirm, corroborate. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > support, corroborate

fasteneOE

i-sothea925

sustainc1325

witness1362

approvec1380

confirmc1384

affirma1393

justifya1393

to bear outa1475

corrobore1485

uphold1485

nourisha1522

underpinc1522

to countenance outa1529

favoura1530

soothe1544

strengthen1548

comfort1593

second1596

accredit1598

evidencea1601

warrantise1600

compact1608

back1612

thickena1616

accreditate1654

shoulder1674

support1691

corroborate1706

carry1835

to give (also lend) colour1921

1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. xii. 83 The euidence..doth not a little comforte and confirme the same [laws].

1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 312 Every one..patcheth-vp and comforteth this received beliefe.

†4. To strengthen (the bodily faculties, organs, etc.); to invigorate, refresh. Obsolete.Some of the later quots. lead on to sense 8.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > refresh or invigorate [verb (transitive)]

akeleOE

restOE

comfort1303

ease1330

quickc1350

recurea1382

refresha1382

refetec1384

restorec1384

affilea1393

enforcec1400

freshc1405

revigour?a1425

recomfortc1425

recreatec1425

quicken?c1430

revive1442

cheerc1443

refection?c1450

refect1488

unweary1530

freshen1532

corroborate1541

vige?c1550

erect?1555

recollect?1560

repose1562

respite1565

rouse1574

requicken1576

animate1585

enlive1593

revify1598

inanimate1600

insinew1600

to wind up1602

vigorize1603

inspiritc1610

invigour1611

refocillate1611

revigorate1611

renovate1614

spriten1614

repaira1616

activate1624

vigour1636

enliven1644

invigorate1646

rally1650

reinvigorate1652

renerve1652

to freshen up1654

righta1656

re-enlivena1660

recruita1661

enlighten1667

revivify1675

untire1677

reanimate1694

stimulate1759

rebrace1764

refreshen1780

brisken1799

irrigate1823

tonic1825

to fresh up1835

ginger1844

spell1846

recuperate1849

binge1854

tone1859

innerve1880

fiercen1896

to tone up1896

to buck up1909

pep1912

to zip up1927

to perk up1936

to zizz up1944

hep1948

to zing up1948

juice1964

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 6996 Anoun cumfortede was Troyle so weyle Þat hys sykenes he forgate.

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds ix. 19 Whanne he hadde takun mete, he was comfortid.

14.. Med. MS. in Archæol. XXX. 364 Jows of betonye..Counfortyth ye herynge.

a1475 Bk. Quinte Essence (1889) 16 To comforte þe joynctis.

?1541 R. Copland Formacion Propre Remedyes Dyseases in Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens sig.Y j The water of M. Peter of spayne, that conforteth and clereth the syght.

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. xxvii. 40 It comforteth the memory very much.

1636 H. Blount Voy. Levant 105 [Coffee] comforteth the braine.

1671 W. Salmon Synopsis Medicinæ iii. xxii. 402 Goosbery bush—the ripe berries..comfort the stomach.

1725 London Gaz. No. 6349/2 A Clyster to comfort the Bowels.

†5. To minister delight or pleasure to; to gladden, cheer, please, entertain. Also figurative. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > [verb (transitive)]

skenta1250

solace1297

comfort1303

gamec1330

disportc1374

mirtha1400

solancea1400

playa1450

recreate1531

pastime1577

sport1577

entertain1593

to take a person out of himself (herself, etc.)1631

divertise1651

to take the fancy of1653

divert1662

amuse1667

tickle1682

the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > please or give pleasure to [verb (transitive)]

i-quemec893

ywortheOE

queemeOE

likeOE

paya1200

gamec1225

lustc1230

apaya1250

savoura1300

feastc1300

comfort1303

glew1303

pleasec1350

ticklec1386

feedc1400

agreea1413

agreec1425

emplessc1450

gree1468

applease1470

complaire1477

enjoy1485

warm1526

to claw the ears1549

content1552

pleasure1556

oblect?1567

relish1567

gratify1569

sweeta1575

promerit1582

tinkle1582

tastea1586

aggrate1590

gratulatea1592

greeta1592

grace1595

arride1600

complease1604

honey1604

agrade1611

oblectate1611

oblige1652

placentiate1694

flatter1695

to shine up to1882

fancy-

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 4760 Anoþer poynt cumforteþ me Þat God haþ sent vnto a tre So moche ioye to here wyþ eere.

1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xvi. 194 Ich am a mynstral..alle peuple to comfortye.

c1440 Generydes 76 Yow to counfort is holy myn entente, This howse is all atte your comaundement.

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iii. lxviii. 409 Reu of the wal is..found.. upon all olde walles that are moyst, and not comforted or lightned with the shining of the sonne.

1612 J. Selden in M. Drayton Poly-olbion viii. Illustr. 129 Britaine was comforted with wholsome beames of religious Light.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 283.

†6. To minister relief to; to relieve, assist (in sickness, affliction, etc.). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve

froverc900

hearteOE

lighteOE

onlightc1175

salvec1175

leathc1200

solace1297

stillc1315

to put in comfortc1320

easec1385

comfort1389

fordilla1400

recomforta1400

ronea1400

solancea1400

cheer?a1425

acheerc1450

consolate1477

repease1483

dilla1500

recreate?a1500

sporta1500

dulcerate?1586

comfit1598

comfortize1600

reassure1604

sweeten1647

console1693

re-establish1722

release1906

1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 50 He shal comyn and vesyten hym [in prison], and comfordyn hym in his powere.

1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. x. 97 Almes..to comfortie such cotyers and crokede men and blynde.

1529 J. Frith Pistle Christen Reader xvii. sig. Mij^v Christ came to seake the poore and comfort them.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. iii. 56 In comforting your Euilles.

1798 W. Wordsworth Idiot Boy in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 168 She quite forgot to send the Doctor, To comfort poor old Susan Gale.

a. To soothe in grief or trouble; to relieve of mental distress; to console, solace. (The ordinary current sense.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve > relieve (suffering)

lissea1000

alightOE

allayc1225

softc1225

comfort1297

laya1300

eathea1325

allegea1375

appeasec1374

laska1375

slakea1387

releasea1393

balma1400

to bete one of one's balea1400

to cool a person's caresc1400

delivera1413

leggea1425

mitigate?a1425

repress?a1425

alleviate?a1475

allevya1500

alleve1544

leviate1545

lenify1567

allevate1570

ungrieve1589

straight1604

mulcify1653

balsama1666

solace1667

meliorate1796

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4204 Bedwer bigan to conforti þe womman..& bihet hire bote of hire wo.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1512 Sche hire fader cumfort fast as sche miȝt.

c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 115 Hir freendes whiche þ^t knowe hir heuy thoght Conforten hire.

c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 8713 I drede me that she wil dey The soner, but she counforted be Of thes tithinges.

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. v. 230 Thou hast comforted me wondrous much.

1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper i. 38 To comfort the afflicted state of Christians.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. xiii. 316 I thought it would have comforted your la'ship.

1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch IV. viii. lxxviii. 265 That look of misery would have been a pang to him, and he would have sunk by her side to comfort her.

1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 54 It might comfort him to know our bliss.

†b. with up. Obsolete. rare. (Cf. to cheer up at cheer v.¹ Phrasal verbs.)

ΚΠ

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 289 Had not Cali Bassa by his graue aduice comforted vp his dying spirits.

c. reflexive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > console [verb (reflexive)]

comforta1400

cheerc1540

solacec1540

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 24246 Nu comforth þe..And werp awai þi wepe.

c1440 Ipomydon 513 Thus she comfortyde hyr amonge, And efte she felle in mornynge stronge.

1754 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison 13 Mar. (2nd year) She comforted herself, that Sir Charles would be able to soften their resentments.

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. ix. 309 They comforted themselves with the hope that, etc.

d. The passive is often used in sense ‘to accept comfort’, ‘to take comfort’.

ΚΠ

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xl. 1 Beth coumfortid, ȝee my puple.

1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xxxi. 15 Rahel weeping for her children, refused to be comforted .

1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss III. vii. iv. 289 Maggie, dear, be comforted... Don't grieve.

†e. intransitive (for reflexive). To take comfort. Obsolete. rare. (Cf. comfort n. 9.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be consoled or relieved [verb (intransitive)]

to take (have) comfortc1320

solace1340

lightenc1440

cheer1590

comforta1616

expectorate1749

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vi. 5 Liue a little, comfort a little, cheere thy selfe a little.

8. transitive. To bring into a comfortable state (of body and feelings), allay physical discomfort, make comfortable.Apparently only of modern use: the earlier quots. merely lead towards it. Cf. also 1671 at sense 4, 1725 at sense 4.

ΚΠ

?a1400 Morte Arth. 944 Caughte of þe colde wynde to comforthe hym seluene.

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. vii. 41 Intreat the North To make his bleake windes kisse my parched lips, And comfort me with cold.

1862 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris (1880) 6 Things which serve..to sustain and comfort the body.]

1884 M. E. Braddon Ishmael xv Refreshed by the coffee and comforted by the warmth of the stove.

1891 N.E.D. at Comfort Mod. Advt. A grateful and comforting beverage.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	comfort
释义	comfortn. Brit. /ˈkʌmfət/, U.S. /ˈkəmfərt/ Forms: Middle English cunfort, kunfort, Middle English cumfort, Middle English–1500s confort(e, Middle English cumforte, cumford, conforth, conforþ, confforte, counfort, comfortd, Middle English coumforde, Middle English–1500s cumforth, coumfort(e, comforth(e, comforte, Middle English counforde, conford, confoorte, Middle English–1500s comford(e, 1500s comfurth, coomfort, Middle English– comfort. Etymology: < Old French cunfort, confort (11th cent. in Littré) = Italian conforto , Old Spanish conforto , a noun apparently of Romanic age, from stem of confortāre , Old French conforter to comfort v. It took the place of Old English frofor, with which it is used indifferently in enumerating the nine urouren or ‘comforts’ against temptations, in Ancren Riwle p. 226 seq. †1. a. Strengthening; encouragement, incitement; aid, succour, support, countenance. upon comfort of: on the strength of. Obsolete except in archaic legal use (in aid and comfort). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] comfort?c1225 encourage1535 encouragement1550 comfortation1552 countenance1576 cover1581 couragement1603 patronage1610 abettance1781 championship1840 moral support1852 fautorship1863 affirmation1966 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 14 Of flesliche fondunge..& cumfort aȝeines ham. 1352 Act 25 Edw. III Stat. v. c. 2 Si home..soit aherdant as enemys nostre dit Seignour le Roi..donant a eux eid ou confort.] a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 215 If..þei make ony gadering in coumfort of Richard, sumtyme kyng, þei to be punchid as tretoures. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 37 Þei þat consentun wiþ þe doars..or defendun, or ȝeuen conseyl or confort. 1493 Festivall (1515) 153 b He came in company of recheles people, & by comforte of them he lefte his faste and dyde ete. 1528 Bp. S. Gardiner in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. xxiv. 62 Upon comfurth of such words as his Ho. had spoken unto us. 1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII The comfort that the rebels should receiue vnderhand from the Earle of Kildare. 1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. 82 If a man be adherent to the king's enemies..giving to them aid and comfort. †b. concrete. One who or that which strengthens or supports; a support, a source of strength. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [noun] > that which or one who supports crutchc900 upholda1066 uptakinga1300 arma1382 postc1387 staff1390 sustainerc1390 undersetterc1400 potent?a1439 buttressa1450 supportalc1450 comfort1455 supporta1456 studa1500 poge1525 underpropper1532 shore1534 staya1542 prop1562 stoopa1572 underprop1579 sustentation1585 rest1590 underpinning1590 supportance1597 sustinent1603 lean1610 reliance1613 hingea1616 columna1620 spar1630 gable end1788 lifeboat1832 standback1915 the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports staffc1000 hold1042 source1359 legc1380 shorer1393 stabilimenta1398 upholder1398 sustentationa1400 undersetterc1400 bearinga1425 undersettinga1425 suppowellc1430 triclinec1440 sustentaclec1451 supportera1475 sustainerc1475 sustenal1483 stayc1515 buttress1535 underpinning1538 firmament1554 countenance1565 support1570 appuia1573 comfort1577 hypostasis1577 underpropping1586 porter1591 supportation1593 supportance1597 understaya1603 bearer1607 rest1609 upsetter1628 mountinga1630 sustent1664 underlay1683 holdfast1706 abutment1727 suppeditor1728 mount1739 monture1746 bed1793 appoggiatura1833 bracing1849 bench1850 under-pinner1859 bolster-piece1860 sustainer1873 table mount1923 1455 Paston Lett. 239 I. 329 We..prey to The to be oure confort and Defender. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 50^v You must haue a little walled Hedge, to teache the springes..to clime by, whiche wyl be a iolly stay and a comfort to them. †2. Physical refreshment or sustenance; refreshing or invigorating influence. (Cf. comfort v. 4.) ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > [noun] > that which or one who refreshes or invigorates spice?c1225 comfort1377 refresherc1450 refreshment1532 reviver1542 sauce1561 salt1579 refocillation1608 whettera1625 fillip1699 stimulant1728 stimulation1733 yeast1769 stimulus1791 inspiriter1821 stimulatory1821 refreshener1824 boost1825 bracer1826 young blood1830 freshener1838 invigoratorc1842 blow1849 tonic1849 elevation1850 stimulator1851 breather1876 pick-me-up1876 a shot in the arm1922 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xi. 253 On a walnot..is a bitter barke, And after þat bitter barke..Is a kirnelle of conforte kynd to restore. 1543 T. Becon Invect. against Swearing in Wks. (1564) 212 b They would tast..not so much as a poore alebery for the comfort of their hart. 1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxxiii That we may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort. 1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) iii. sig. G4 Clouds..rais'd by the comfort of The Sunne, to water dry and barren grounds. concrete.1631 G. Markham Inrichm. Weald of Kent (1668) ii. i. 2 Holpen by some manner of comfort, as dung, marl, fresh earth..or such other refreshings. †3. Pleasure, enjoyment, delight, gladness. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > [noun] merrinesseOE gladnessc900 mirtheOE playeOE dreamOE gladshipc975 lissOE willOE hightOE blithenessc1000 gladc1000 winOE blissc1175 delices?c1225 delight?c1225 joy?c1225 comfortc1230 listc1275 gladhead1303 daintyc1325 fainnessc1340 lightnessa1350 delectationc1384 delightingc1390 comfortationa1400 fainheada1400 blithec1400 fainc1400 delicacyc1405 gladsomeness1413 reveriea1425 joyousitiea1450 joyfulnessc1485 jucundity1536 joyousness1549 joc1560 delightfulness1565 jouissance1579 joyance1590 levitya1631 revelling1826 chuckle1837 joyancy1849 a song in one's heart1862 delightsomeness1866 c1230 Hali Meid. 27 Hare confort & hare delit hwerin is hit al? a1400–50 Alexander 8 Sum..has comforth to carpe..Of curtaissy of knyȝthode, of craftis of armys. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 773 Confort ne murthe is noon To ryde by the weye domb as stoon. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 380 When these Justes had continued…xxiiij. dayes, to the great ioye and comforte of the young lustie Bachelers. †4. Relief or aid in want, pain, sickness, etc. Obsolete. (Cf. comfort v. 6.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [noun] > aid in want, pain, sickness, etc. comforta1340 cherisance1658 a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxlvi. 3 His byndyngis is þe sacramentis in þe whilke we hafe comforth til we perfytly be hale. c1400 Rom. Rose 6508 Lete bere hem [beggers] to the spitel anoon, But, for me, comfort gete they noon. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 132 Many..came vnto the Citie, and nere thereabout for comfort of victuall. 1570 Ane Tragedie in J. G. Dalyell Scotish Poems 16th Cent. (1801) II. 234 To gif the wedow and fatherles confort. 1647 A. Cowley Mistress Despair, No comfort to my wounded sight, In the Suns busie and impert'nent Light. 5. a. Relief or support in mental distress or affliction; consolation, solace, soothing. (In later use sometimes expressing little more than the production of mental satisfaction and restfulness.) ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > consolation or relief lightingOE leathc1175 comfort?c1225 solacec1290 solacec1290 lithec1300 comfortingc1320 allegeancec1325 swaging1340 froa1350 releasec1350 consolationc1374 legeancec1390 reliefa1393 comfortationa1400 leathinga1400 swagea1400 allegementa1425 alleviation?a1425 recreation?a1425 refrigery?a1425 lighteningc1425 recomfortc1425 mitigation?1435 recomforting1487 recreancea1500 allevation1502 easement1533 solacy1534 ease1542 cheer1549 assuagement1561 refreshing1561 easing1580 recomfortation1585 recomforture1595 assuage1596 allevement1599 mitification1607 allayment1609 solagement1609 levation1656 solacement1721 solation1757 soulagement1777 consolement1797 de-tension1949 de-tensioning1952 tea and sympathy1953 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 137 Nan gastlich cumfort. nemei hire gladien. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 118 Euery confort possible..They doon to hire..to make hire leue hir heuynesse. c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) v. 13 Make me solas and comfort, and chere me. ?1606 M. Drayton Eglog x, in Poemes sig. G8^v None else there is gives Comfort to my greefe. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xv. 13 Thy comforts can doe me no good at all. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. iii. 1 The great comfort That I haue had of thee. View more context for this quotation 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. xii. 313 I wish I had any Comfort to send you. View more context for this quotation 1752 H. Fielding Amelia I. iii. iv. 195 Others applying for Comfort to strong Liquors. 1800 W. Wordsworth Michael 448 There is a comfort in the strength of love. c1800 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 2 Thus..I became confident..amongst rocks and sands, which has..since been of the greatest comfort to me. 1884 M. E. Braddon Ishmael xli Such comfort as the Church can give to the remorseful sinner. b. subjectively. The feeling of consolation or mental relief; the state of being consoled. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] comfort1340 lightness1357 consolationc1374 reliefa1393 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 2508 Comfort of gud hope may he fele, Þat here lyves wele, to fare wele. c1394 P. Pl. Crede 99 My purpos is i-failed, Now is my counfort a-cast! 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. iii. 164 How well my comfort is reuiud by this. View more context for this quotation 1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda IV. viii. lxviii. 331 She had..a sense of solemn comfort. c. transferred. A person or thing that affords consolation; a source or means of comfort. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > act, means, or source of consolation or relief froverOE comfortc1386 easec1440 sport1440 consolationc1460 recreatoryc1475 balm1540 balsamumc1540 solace1597 unction1604 balsama1616 demulceation1661 demulsion1661 alleviative1672 mitigation1726 salve1736 soother1794 consolement1797 heart-balm1828 c1386 T. Hoccleve Mother of God 15 Benigne confort of us wrecches all. 1465 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 298 He hath ben a grete confort to me. 1609 T. Playfere Serm. Woodstocke in Serm. Drayton 30 A treasure of comforts, gathered out of the olde and new testament. 1611 Bible (King James) Coloss. iv. 11 My fellow workers..which haue beene a comfort vnto me. View more context for this quotation a1847 H. F. Lyte Remains (1850) 119 When other helpers fail, and comforts flee. 1856 D. M. Mulock John Halifax I. v. 102 Growing up to be a help and comfort to my father. d. In weaker sense: A cause or matter of satisfaction or relief; a comforting fact or reflection. Chiefly colloquial in the phrases ‘it is a comfort to do’, ‘it is some comfort that’, etc. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > act, means, or source of consolation or relief > cause or matter of consolation or relief comfort1553 1553 in E. Lodge Illustr. Brit. Hist. (1791) I. 160 It was a great comforte to him to perceyve in the Kings yong years soch a consideracion of the public weal. 1641 Earl of Strafford Speech on Scaffold 5 It is a very great comfort to me, to have your Lordship by me this day. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. v. viii. 179 One Comfort is, they will be all known. 1825 W. Scott Jrnl. 18 Dec. (1939) 45 Nobody..can lose a penny—that is one comfort. 1873 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Wooin' o't xxvii It is a comfort to be able to speak to you. 6. a. A state of physical and material well-being, with freedom from pain and trouble, and satisfaction of bodily needs; the condition of being comfortable (see comfortable adj. 10). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun] softa1400 makandec1450 self-ease1590 easefulnessa1639 snugness1766 comfortableness1783 comfort1814 cosiness1834 1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion i. 29 Their days were spent In peace and comfort . View more context for this quotation 1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. i. 4 Let present Rapture, Comfort, Ease, As Heaven shall bid them, come and go. 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 75 All industrious men could maintain themselves in comfort and prosperity. 1862 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris (1880) 2 At the cost of common health and comfort. b. objectively. The conditions which produce or promote such a state; the quality of being comfortable (see comfortable adj. 7). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun] > quality of being comfortable snugness1766 cosiness1834 comfort1849 hygge1960 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 384 William Harrison gave a lively description of the plenty and comfort of the great hostelries. 1884 M. E. Braddon Ishmael v Reared in the comfort and elegance of a successful artist's household. 7. concrete. A thing that produces or ministers to enjoyment and content. (Usually plural; distinguished from necessaries on the one hand, and from luxuries on the other.) creature comforts (see creature n. Compounds 2). So home comforts. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun] > material comfort(s) ease1393 creature1540 creature comforts1641 comfortable1650 comfort1659 convenience1673 conveniency1712 home comfort1797 comforter1837 1659 J. Arrowsmith Armilla Catechetica 58 The Scripture useth diminishing terms when it speaks of creature-comforts. 1677 G. Miege New Dict. French & Eng. ii. sig. I/1 The comforts of this life. 1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker III. 205 Very moderate in his estimate of the necessaries, and even of the comforts of life. 1775 S. Johnson Taxation no Tyranny 11 Before they quit the comforts of a warm home. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 300 A modern Englishman..finds in his shooting box all the comforts and luxuries of his club. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. x. 66 Steeped in the creature comforts of our hotel. 1873 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Wooin' o't xxi Another..dainty apartment, supplied with every comfort. 8. A wadded and quilted counterpane; = comforter n. 6b (U.S.) ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > household linen > bedclothes > [noun] > outer cover > quilt quilt1276 pourpoint1345 bed-quilt1765 razai1784 bed-cover1828 comforter1832 comfort1834 comfortable1842 yorgan1914 downie1947 1834 Southern Literary Messenger 1 168 A lady of our party..aptly compared it to a Yankee comfort. 1847 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Patents 1846 35 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (29th Congr., 2nd Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 52) III [Cotton] has already been employed in what are variously called ‘comforts’ and ‘comfortables’. 1863 Life in South II. 263 The quilted coverlets called ‘comforts’,—a wadded counterpane, in fact. 1913 G. Stratton-Porter Laddie xi. 339 Laddie had..hung up a comfort at four o'clock to keep the Princess warm. 1945 B. A. Botkin Lay My Burden Down 112 Then a great big mattress full of goose feathers and two-three comforts as thick as my foot with carded wool inside! †9. Comfort is used by Shakespeare interjectionally; = Take comfort, cheer up. (Cf. comfort v. 7e.) Also what comfort? = What cheer? ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > expression of cheerfulness [interjection] > exhortation to be cheerful comfort1597 heads up1854 cheers1915 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. i. 72 What comfort man? how ist with aged Gaunt? View more context for this quotation 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. ii. 71 Comfort my liege, why lookes your grace so pale. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 818 Comfort, good comfort. We must to the King. View more context for this quotation 10. Phrases. to be of (good) comfort: to be of good cheer; to keep up one's heart or courage (archaic). to take (†have) comfort: to accept consolation, be comforted. †to put in comfort: to encourage, cheer up, console. cold comfort: see cold adj. 10a. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be consoled or relieved [verb (intransitive)] to take (have) comfortc1320 solace1340 lightenc1440 cheer1590 comforta1616 expectorate1749 the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > be cheerful [verb (intransitive)] to be of (good) comfortc1320 risea1400 to feel good1821 to have one's tail up1853 the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve froverc900 hearteOE lighteOE onlightc1175 salvec1175 leathc1200 solace1297 stillc1315 to put in comfortc1320 easec1385 comfort1389 fordilla1400 recomforta1400 ronea1400 solancea1400 cheer?a1425 acheerc1450 consolate1477 repease1483 dilla1500 recreate?a1500 sporta1500 dulcerate?1586 comfit1598 comfortize1600 reassure1604 sweeten1647 console1693 re-establish1722 release1906 the mind > emotion > courage > moral courage > stoicism > to be stiff-upper-lipped [verb] to be of (good) comfortc1320 to be of good cheera1413 to stand buff1701 to keep (carry, have) a stiff upper lip1798 to die game1886 stiff-upper-lip1977 c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 2601 Sche saide Alas!.. N'el ich..confor[t] take neuer mo. c1325 Coer de L. 5596 To hys men hys armes he badde, And sayde..Look ye ben off comfort good! 1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles Prol. 39 To kepe him in confforte in crist and nouȝt ellis. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7818 Was he neuer o wers comfortd. c1440 Generydes 38 Whanne he was sadde, to putte hym in coumfort. ?1518 A. Barclay tr. D. Mancinus Myrrour Good Maners sig. Eiv Take confort, be of stoute courage. 1598 W. Phillip tr. J. H. van Linschoten Disc. Voy. E. & W. Indies i. xxxvi. 70/2 Putting her in comfort, & encouraging her to follow her husband. 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iv. i. 118 Haue comfort lady. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 331 You stand amaz'd, But be of comfort . View more context for this quotation 1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World ii. 16 We..bid them be of good comfort, and stay till the River did fall. 1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch IV. vii. lxxxiv. 342 Take comfort: perhaps James will forgive me. Compounds C1. comfort-killing, comfort-seeking adjs. ΚΠ 1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. F3 O comfort-killing night, image of Hell. View more context for this quotation 1865 T. F. Knox tr. Life H. Suso 70 To mortify his comfort-seeking body. 1874 L. Tollemache in Fortn. Rev. Feb. 238 Our comfortable and comfort-seeking age. C2. comfort station n. U.S. Genteelism a public lavatory. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > sanitation > privy or latrine > [noun] > water-closet or lavatory > public vespasienne1834 public lavatory1880 chalet1881 public toilet1895 rear1902 cottage1909 comfort station1923 public convenience1938 vespasian1938 facility1939 superloo1965 1923 Glass (Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.) 167 (heading) Public comfort stations. 1931 T. Wilder Long Christmas Dinner 121 Ma, where is the next comfort-station. 1947 W. H. Auden Age of Anxiety (1948) ii. 53 Ingenious George reached his journey's end Killed by a cop in a comfort station. 1957 D. Karp Leave me Alone xii. 165 Snatching Jimmy's hand she trudged across the sand with him to the comfort station. 1967 R. Shaw Man in Glass Booth xvii. 152 ‘Wash-room,’ said the old man. ‘Comfort station.’ Draft additions June 2016 letter of comfort n. Finance a document providing assurance about a debt, short of a legal guarantee, given to the debtor's creditor by a third party. ΚΠ 1974 Wall St. Jrnl. 6 Dec. 17/5 We have never guaranteed Ervin's debt or signed letters of comfort or anything of that sort. 1992 S. Logie Winging It i. 24 ITC said it would guarantee the line of credit with Canadair's bankers by a letter of comfort signed by the minister. 2005 Managem. Today Dec. 25/3 The bankers agreed to put up the funds only when they were provided with ‘letters of comfort’ making it clear that if the companies involved could not pay the banks, the Government would make sure that they got their cash. Draft additions June 2016 comfort blanket n. (a) U.S. a soft, thick blanket intended to be used in place of a quilted coverlet (see also sense 8) (now rare); (b) chiefly British = security blanket n. 2. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > [noun] > something which reassures comfort blanket1908 blankie1921 transitional object1951 security blanket1954 Linus blanket1958 lovey1969 1908 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Sentinel 5 Oct. 3 (advt.) Beacon comfort blankets. In a splendid line of fancy figures and cheerful colors. Fine smooth fleece finish and full size. 1922 Findlay (Ohio) Republican 6 Dec. 6 (advt.) Comfort blankets are supplanting cotton comforts in popular use. The advantage of being able to wash them frequently is the big idea. 1947 Iowa City Press-Citizen 15 Sept. 3/5 (advt.) The perfect comfort blanket for cold winter nights ahead. 1986 N. Humphrey Inner Eye vi. 92 A child of 18 months may offer his own comfort blanket to mother when he detects that she is upset. 2015 Times 10 May 12 Walking away from the comfort blanket of a conventional job as an employee..to become an entrepreneur. Draft additions August 2007 comfort break n. euphemistic (originally U.S.) a break taken to use the toilet. ΚΠ 1959 Washington Post & Times Herald 21 May b13/2 The true television fan has dreadful manners... He complains loudly that he would welcome a commercial and a comfort break. 2001 A. Dangor Bitter Fruit (2004) xxv. 254 The Minister returned from his comfort break and the meeting resumed. Draft additions 1997 comfort food n. food that comforts or affords solace; hence, any food (frequently with a high sugar or carbohydrate content) that is associated with childhood or with home cooking. Originally North American. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > food otherwise characterized > [noun] > comfort food comfort food1962 1962 Independent (Pasadena, Calif.) 25 Jan. 31/2 People like soup. It’s what a psychologist would call a comfort food. 1977 Washington Post 25 Dec. (Mag. section) 30/4 Along with grits, one of the comfort foods of the South is black-eyed peas. 1984 Bon Appétit Feb. 56/1 Split Pea Soup with Smoked Ham, although it has become an international ‘comfort food’, is traced to French-Canadian cooks in Quebec. 1989 N.Y. Woman Oct. 136/2 After being dumped by her boyfriend, the heroine..goes to d'Agostino's to buy comfort food. 1990 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 16 Jan. 15/6 Even at fairly formal dinner parties, ‘comfort foods’ have starred—corn soup, meat loaf, cold black bean soup. 1992 Independent 15 Sept. 3/2 Single people..also tend to eat more ‘comfort foods’ such as cakes, biscuits and jam, though they balance this by spending a greater amount on fresh fruit. Draft additions June 2015 comfort room n. (originally) a room in a public building or workplace furnished with amenities such as facilities for resting, personal hygiene, and storage of personal items (now rare); (later) a public toilet (now chiefly Philippine English); cf. restroom n. ΚΠ 1886 Santa Fe Daily New Mexican 24 Dec. On the west side of the third floor..are the large public comfort rooms, closets, lavatories, cloak rooms, post-office, etc. 1920 Railway Age 2 Apr. 1087/1 The men are provided with comfort rooms, containing stoves, toilet facilities, wash basins, etc. 1929 Decatur (Illinois) Herald 7 Nov. 18/3 In the back of the retail salesroom..are women's and men's comfort rooms. 1985 F. Marcos in N.Y. Times 1 Nov. a10/5 I was able to urinate as much as 3,000 c.c. in one day... If you'd seen me going to the comfort room. 2009 C. S. Bond & L. M. Simons Next Front v. 56 A pink-painted ‘comfort room’, said to be the first indoor flush toilet on the island. Draft additions August 2007 comfort stop n. originally U.S. a short stop intended to give passengers a break from a (long) bus or coach journey, esp. in order to use the toilet; (hence euphemistic) a short break taken from any journey or activity in order to use the toilet. ΚΠ 1930 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 30 Mar. 13/4 To know the full pleasure and romance of travel, go the Greyhound way. Selected comfort stops and popular-priced restaurants at frequent intervals break the journey into easy stages. 1960 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 11 Mar. 16/5 As the white passengers filed off for a comfort stop, Griffin followed—but was stopped at the bus door by the driver. 1985 Times 9 Oct. 36/8 Food tends to be in fairly short supply among the Mujahidin, and the water often contains those bacteria that enforce frequent ‘comfort stops’ on unacclimatized westerners. 2002 S. Brown Lecturing x. 165 Late arrivals at your lectures may be because of difficulties getting across to a different building in a short time, with perhaps a necessary comfort stop en route. Draft additions January 2018 comfort object n. a familiar object (such as a blanket, soft toy, etc.) which provides reassurance to a child when kept close or held; cf. security blanket n. 2. ΚΠ 1957 Amer. Sociol. Rev. 22 707/1 (table) Child has or has had comfort object (blanket, etc.). 1995 Your Baby Winter 53/1 Some parents worry that a child will never give up a favoured comfort object. 2012 P. Druckerman Bringing up Bébé Gloss. p. xvii Doudou (doo-doo)—the obligatory comfort object for young children. It's usually a floppy stuffed animal. Draft additions June 2021 comfort animal n. an animal whose presence comforts and soothes a person, esp. one who is experiencing trauma, depression, loneliness, or the like.comfort animal and emotional support animal are more general and less technical terms than therapy animal, but the uses may overlap: cf. emotional support n., therapy animal n. at Additions. ΚΠ 1995 Washington Post 2 May a8/3 When the call went out for ‘comfort animals’, McCuan and his wife, Vicky, responded with their pets. 2016 Dayton (Ohio) Daily News (Nexis) 17 June a6 While it's not entirely clear whether comfort animals provide long-term benefits to those in pain, studies have shown that they can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022). comfortv. Brit. /ˈkʌmfət/, U.S. /ˈkəmfərt/ Forms: Middle English conforti, Middle English comforti, Middle English conforte, Middle English cumfort(e, conford, comfortie, comfortye, coumforte(n, cowmforte, Middle English cumforth(e, counfort(e, comford(e, Middle English–1500s comforth(e, comforte, confort, Middle English comfford, Middle English– comfort. (past tense comforted: in Middle English comfort, Middle English comforth, cumfort, confort, Middle English comferd, cumfurth; past tense and participle Middle English comford.) Etymology: < Old French cun-, conforter (= Provençal confortar, Spanish confortar, Italian confortare) < Latin confortāre to strengthen, < con- intensive + fortis strong. (Used by Macer, ‘confortat stomachum’; frequent in Itala and Vulgate; for form, compare aggravāre.) The phonetic change of con- to com- is English. †1. a. transitive. To strengthen (morally or spiritually); to encourage, hearten, inspirit, incite. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)] > strengthen morally comfortc1290 enforcec1386 supprise1447 fortify1477 strengthen1534 magnanimate1640 uphold1820 the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] > strengthen or secure comfortc1290 confirm1485 undergird1526 firm1639 c1290 Lives Saints (1887) 80 He [St. Matthew] prechede..And confortede þat clene maide..Euere þis guode man hire bi-souȝte þat heo clene lijf ladde. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2929 Þe king aurely is felawes confortede to fiȝte. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke i. 80 The child waxide, and was comfortid in spirit. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21392 Constantine, luc vp..Til heuen-ward, and cumforth þe. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15527 Petre, comforth breþer þin quen i am ledd yow fra. c1420 Anturs of Arth. iv Thay kest of hor cowpullus..Cumfordun hor kenettes. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Sam. ii. 7 Let youre hande now therfore be comforted, and be ye stronge. 1677 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 2) i. 18 The Call, a Lesson blowed on the Horn to comfort the Hounds. †b. In a bad sense: To encourage in, or to, that which is evil. Obsolete. (Cf. 2.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] > chiefly in something bad comfort1362 maintainc1390 abet1442 bolster1523 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 121 From care to counforte the false. c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 328 Not to coumforte hem in here synne. 1521–32 J. Longland in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. iii. 95 I. 248 Comfortyng erronyous persons in ther opynyons. 1530 J. Rastell New Bk. Purgatory ii. viii. sig. d It shuld conforte a man to lyue vycyously. †2. To lend support or countenance to; to support, assist, aid; to abet, countenance, ‘back up’. Formerly common in legal use. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] shoveOE to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1154 favour1362 abetc1380 sustainc1390 supportc1405 courage1470 comfort1481 friend1550 through-bear1554 countenance1568 foster1569 favourize1585 seconda1586 sidea1601 rally1624 feed1626 countenance1654 encourage1668 inserve1683 to go strong on1822 partake1861 sponsor1884 to hold a brief for1888 root1889 rah-rah1940 affirm1970 babysit1973 barrack- 1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. 26 For to amasse and gadre alway money wherin the deuyl conforteth hem. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 178 Feill sis confort scho the kyng Bath with siluer and vith met. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 74 As touchyng the death of the aforesaid Becket, to the which he sware that he was neither ayding nor comfortyng. 1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 2 Abbettors in murders are those that command, procure, counsell, or comfort others to murder. 1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 8 Guilty of comforting and assisting the Rebels. †3. a. To strengthen (physically), support; to make fast, secure. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)] to bear upeOE underbearc950 bearOE holdc1000 weighc1200 to hold up1297 upholda1300 sustainc1330 undersetc1330 comforta1382 underbear1382 upbear1390 sustaina1398 upkeepc1412 carrya1425 supporta1425 chargea1500 convey1514 avoke1529 confirm1542 stay1548 to carry up1570 bolster1581 lift1590 upstay1590 atlas1593 sustent1605 statuminatea1628 firm1646 appui1656 establish1664 shoulder1674 to keep up1681 upheave1729 withhold1769 the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > make fast [verb (transitive)] fastenOE firmc1374 comforta1382 to make (something) fasta1400 anchor1425 defix?a1475 harden?1523 steeve1554 lock1590 confixa1616 secure1615 succour1688 belay1751 sicker1824 snackle1887 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xli. 7 He coumfortide hym with nailes that it shulde not be moued. 1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ps. cxlvii. 13 He coumfortede the lockis of thi ȝatis. 1523–5 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Chron. I. 629 The other two were as wynges, to comfort the bataylles, if nede requyred. 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Aa2 Water..doth scatter..it selfe..except it be collected into some Receptacle, where it may by vnion, comfort and sustaine it selfe. View more context for this quotation †b. figurative. To confirm, corroborate. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > support, corroborate fasteneOE i-sothea925 sustainc1325 witness1362 approvec1380 confirmc1384 affirma1393 justifya1393 to bear outa1475 corrobore1485 uphold1485 nourisha1522 underpinc1522 to countenance outa1529 favoura1530 soothe1544 strengthen1548 comfort1593 second1596 accredit1598 evidencea1601 warrantise1600 compact1608 back1612 thickena1616 accreditate1654 shoulder1674 support1691 corroborate1706 carry1835 to give (also lend) colour1921 1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. xii. 83 The euidence..doth not a little comforte and confirme the same [laws]. 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 312 Every one..patcheth-vp and comforteth this received beliefe. †4. To strengthen (the bodily faculties, organs, etc.); to invigorate, refresh. Obsolete.Some of the later quots. lead on to sense 8. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > refresh or invigorate [verb (transitive)] akeleOE restOE comfort1303 ease1330 quickc1350 recurea1382 refresha1382 refetec1384 restorec1384 affilea1393 enforcec1400 freshc1405 revigour?a1425 recomfortc1425 recreatec1425 quicken?c1430 revive1442 cheerc1443 refection?c1450 refect1488 unweary1530 freshen1532 corroborate1541 vige?c1550 erect?1555 recollect?1560 repose1562 respite1565 rouse1574 requicken1576 animate1585 enlive1593 revify1598 inanimate1600 insinew1600 to wind up1602 vigorize1603 inspiritc1610 invigour1611 refocillate1611 revigorate1611 renovate1614 spriten1614 repaira1616 activate1624 vigour1636 enliven1644 invigorate1646 rally1650 reinvigorate1652 renerve1652 to freshen up1654 righta1656 re-enlivena1660 recruita1661 enlighten1667 revivify1675 untire1677 reanimate1694 stimulate1759 rebrace1764 refreshen1780 brisken1799 irrigate1823 tonic1825 to fresh up1835 ginger1844 spell1846 recuperate1849 binge1854 tone1859 innerve1880 fiercen1896 to tone up1896 to buck up1909 pep1912 to zip up1927 to perk up1936 to zizz up1944 hep1948 to zing up1948 juice1964 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 6996 Anoun cumfortede was Troyle so weyle Þat hys sykenes he forgate. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds ix. 19 Whanne he hadde takun mete, he was comfortid. 14.. Med. MS. in Archæol. XXX. 364 Jows of betonye..Counfortyth ye herynge. a1475 Bk. Quinte Essence (1889) 16 To comforte þe joynctis. ?1541 R. Copland Formacion Propre Remedyes Dyseases in Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens sig.Y j The water of M. Peter of spayne, that conforteth and clereth the syght. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. xxvii. 40 It comforteth the memory very much. 1636 H. Blount Voy. Levant 105 [Coffee] comforteth the braine. 1671 W. Salmon Synopsis Medicinæ iii. xxii. 402 Goosbery bush—the ripe berries..comfort the stomach. 1725 London Gaz. No. 6349/2 A Clyster to comfort the Bowels. †5. To minister delight or pleasure to; to gladden, cheer, please, entertain. Also figurative. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > [verb (transitive)] skenta1250 solace1297 comfort1303 gamec1330 disportc1374 mirtha1400 solancea1400 playa1450 recreate1531 pastime1577 sport1577 entertain1593 to take a person out of himself (herself, etc.)1631 divertise1651 to take the fancy of1653 divert1662 amuse1667 tickle1682 the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > please or give pleasure to [verb (transitive)] i-quemec893 ywortheOE queemeOE likeOE likeOE paya1200 gamec1225 lustc1230 apaya1250 savoura1300 feastc1300 comfort1303 glew1303 pleasec1350 ticklec1386 feedc1400 agreea1413 agreec1425 emplessc1450 gree1468 applease1470 complaire1477 enjoy1485 warm1526 to claw the ears1549 content1552 pleasure1556 oblect?1567 relish1567 gratify1569 sweeta1575 promerit1582 tinkle1582 tastea1586 aggrate1590 gratulatea1592 greeta1592 grace1595 arride1600 complease1604 honey1604 agrade1611 oblectate1611 oblige1652 placentiate1694 flatter1695 to shine up to1882 fancy- 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 4760 Anoþer poynt cumforteþ me Þat God haþ sent vnto a tre So moche ioye to here wyþ eere. 1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xvi. 194 Ich am a mynstral..alle peuple to comfortye. c1440 Generydes 76 Yow to counfort is holy myn entente, This howse is all atte your comaundement. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iii. lxviii. 409 Reu of the wal is..found.. upon all olde walles that are moyst, and not comforted or lightned with the shining of the sonne. 1612 J. Selden in M. Drayton Poly-olbion viii. Illustr. 129 Britaine was comforted with wholsome beames of religious Light. a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 283. †6. To minister relief to; to relieve, assist (in sickness, affliction, etc.). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve froverc900 hearteOE lighteOE onlightc1175 salvec1175 leathc1200 solace1297 stillc1315 to put in comfortc1320 easec1385 comfort1389 fordilla1400 recomforta1400 ronea1400 solancea1400 cheer?a1425 acheerc1450 consolate1477 repease1483 dilla1500 recreate?a1500 sporta1500 dulcerate?1586 comfit1598 comfortize1600 reassure1604 sweeten1647 console1693 re-establish1722 release1906 1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 50 He shal comyn and vesyten hym [in prison], and comfordyn hym in his powere. 1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. x. 97 Almes..to comfortie such cotyers and crokede men and blynde. 1529 J. Frith Pistle Christen Reader xvii. sig. Mij^v Christ came to seake the poore and comfort them. a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. iii. 56 In comforting your Euilles. View more context for this quotation 1798 W. Wordsworth Idiot Boy in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 168 She quite forgot to send the Doctor, To comfort poor old Susan Gale. 7. a. To soothe in grief or trouble; to relieve of mental distress; to console, solace. (The ordinary current sense.) ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve > relieve (suffering) lissea1000 alightOE allayc1225 softc1225 comfort1297 laya1300 eathea1325 allegea1375 appeasec1374 laska1375 slakea1387 releasea1393 balma1400 to bete one of one's balea1400 to cool a person's caresc1400 delivera1413 leggea1425 mitigate?a1425 repress?a1425 alleviate?a1475 allevya1500 alleve1544 leviate1545 lenify1567 allevate1570 ungrieve1589 straight1604 mulcify1653 balsama1666 solace1667 meliorate1796 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4204 Bedwer bigan to conforti þe womman..& bihet hire bote of hire wo. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1512 Sche hire fader cumfort fast as sche miȝt. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 115 Hir freendes whiche þ^t knowe hir heuy thoght Conforten hire. c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 8713 I drede me that she wil dey The soner, but she counforted be Of thes tithinges. 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. v. 230 Thou hast comforted me wondrous much. View more context for this quotation 1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper i. 38 To comfort the afflicted state of Christians. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. xiii. 316 I thought it would have comforted your la'ship. View more context for this quotation 1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch IV. viii. lxxviii. 265 That look of misery would have been a pang to him, and he would have sunk by her side to comfort her. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 54 It might comfort him to know our bliss. †b. with up. Obsolete. rare. (Cf. to cheer up at cheer v.¹ Phrasal verbs.) ΚΠ 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 289 Had not Cali Bassa by his graue aduice comforted vp his dying spirits. c. reflexive. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > console [verb (reflexive)] comforta1400 cheerc1540 solacec1540 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 24246 Nu comforth þe..And werp awai þi wepe. c1440 Ipomydon 513 Thus she comfortyde hyr amonge, And efte she felle in mornynge stronge. 1754 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison 13 Mar. (2nd year) She comforted herself, that Sir Charles would be able to soften their resentments. 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. ix. 309 They comforted themselves with the hope that, etc. d. The passive is often used in sense ‘to accept comfort’, ‘to take comfort’. ΚΠ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xl. 1 Beth coumfortid, ȝee my puple. 1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xxxi. 15 Rahel weeping for her children, refused to be comforted . View more context for this quotation 1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss III. vii. iv. 289 Maggie, dear, be comforted... Don't grieve. †e. intransitive (for reflexive). To take comfort. Obsolete. rare. (Cf. comfort n. 9.) ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be consoled or relieved [verb (intransitive)] to take (have) comfortc1320 solace1340 lightenc1440 cheer1590 comforta1616 expectorate1749 a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vi. 5 Liue a little, comfort a little, cheere thy selfe a little. View more context for this quotation 8. transitive. To bring into a comfortable state (of body and feelings), allay physical discomfort, make comfortable.Apparently only of modern use: the earlier quots. merely lead towards it. Cf. also 1671 at sense 4, 1725 at sense 4. ΚΠ ?a1400 Morte Arth. 944 Caughte of þe colde wynde to comforthe hym seluene. a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. vii. 41 Intreat the North To make his bleake windes kisse my parched lips, And comfort me with cold. View more context for this quotation 1862 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris (1880) 6 Things which serve..to sustain and comfort the body.] 1884 M. E. Braddon Ishmael xv Refreshed by the coffee and comforted by the warmth of the stove. 1891 N.E.D. at Comfort Mod. Advt. A grateful and comforting beverage. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.?c1225v.c1290
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