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tr.v. com·fort·ed, com·fort·ing, com·forts 1. To soothe in time of affliction or distress. 2. To ease physically; relieve: comforted the feverish patient with a cool cloth. n. 1. a. A condition or feeling of pleasurable physical ease or relief from pain or stress: finally sat in comfort on the soft pillows. b. A condition of well-being, contentment, and security: an income that allowed them to live in comfort. 2. a. Solace or consolation in time of sorrow or distress: soothing words of comfort. b. Help; assistance: gave comfort to the enemy. 3. a. Something providing ease, convenience, or security: the comforts of modern living. b. A person or thing that brings consolation or mental ease: a friend who was a comfort to me in my grief. 4. Chiefly Southern & Lower Northern US A quilted bedcover; a comforter. [Middle English comforten, from Old French conforter, to strengthen, from Late Latin cōnfortāre : Latin com-, intensive pref.; see COM- + Latin fortis, strong; see bhergh-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] comfort·ing·ly adv. Synonyms: comfort, console1, solace These verbs mean to give hope or help to in time of grief or pain: comforted the distressed child; consoling a recent widow; solaced myself with a hot cup of coffee. See Also Synonyms at amenity. |
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