comfortn.
/ˈkʌmfət/, U.S. /ˈkəmfərt/ 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.
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. 50v 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.
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.
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.
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. G8v 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!
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.
/ˈkʌmfət/, U.S. /ˈkəmfərt/ 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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. Mijv 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. † b. with up. Obsolete. rare. (Cf. to cheer up at cheer v.1 Phrasal verbs.)† e. intransitive (for reflexive). To take comfort. Obsolete. rare. (Cf. comfort n. 9.)
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 þt 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.
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.
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).
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