Comfort /(?)/

Com·fort

Comfort

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Comforted; p. pr. & vb. n. Comforting.

  1. To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate. [Obs.]
    God's own testimony . . . doth not a little comfort and confirm the same.
  2. To assist or help; to aid. [Obs.]
    I . . . can not help the noble chevalier: God comfort him in this necessity!
  3. To impart strength and hope to; to encourage; to relieve; to console; to cheer.
    Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men.
    That we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction.
    — 2 Cor. i. 4 (Rev. Ver.).
    A perfect woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command.
Syn. -- To cheer; solace; console; revive; encourage; enliven; invigorate; inspirit; gladden; recreate; exhilarate; refresh; animate; confirm; strengthen.

-- To Comfort, Console, Solace. These verbs all suppose some antecedent state of suffering or sorrow. Console is confined to the act giving sympathetic relief to the mind under affliction or sorrow, and points to some definite source of that relief; as, the presence of his friend consoled him; he was much consoled by this intelligence. The act of consoling commonly implies the inculcation of resignation. Comfort points to relief afforded by the communication of positive pleasure, hope, and strength, as well as by the diminution of pain; as, “They brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.”

Comfort

n.
  1. Assistance; relief; support. [Obs. except in the phrase “aid and comfort.” See 5 below.]
  2. Encouragement; solace; consolation in trouble; also, that which affords consolation.
    In comfort of her mother's fears.
    Cheer thy spirit with this comfort.
    Speaking words of endearment where words of comfort availed not.
  3. A state of quiet enjoyment; freedom from pain, want, or anxiety; also, whatever contributes to such a condition.
    I had much joy and comfort in thy love.
    — Phil. 7 (Rev. Ver.).
    He had the means of living in comfort.
  4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [U. S.]
  5. Unlawful support, countenance, or encouragement; as, to give aid and comfort to the enemy. (Law)