comfort

n. [ OF. confort, fr. conforter. ] 1. Assistance; relief; support. [ Obs. except in the phrase “aid and comfort.” See 5 below. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Encouragement; solace; consolation in trouble; also, that which affords consolation. [ 1913 Webster ]

In comfort of her mother's fears. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cheer thy spirit with this comfort. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Speaking words of endearment where words of comfort availed not. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A state of quiet enjoyment; freedom from pain, want, or anxiety; also, whatever contributes to such a condition. [ 1913 Webster ]

I had much joy and comfort in thy love. Phil. 7 (Rev. Ver.). [ 1913 Webster ]

He had the means of living in comfort. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Law) Unlawful support, countenance, or encouragement; as, to give aid and comfort to the enemy.

Syn. -- Comfort, Consolation. Comfort has two meanings: 1. Strength and relief received under affliction; 2. Positive enjoyment, of a quiet, permanent nature, together with the sources thereof; as, the comfort of love; surrounded with comforts; but it is with the former only that the word consolation is brought into comparison. As thus compared, consolation points to some specific source of relief for the afflicted mind; as, the consolations of religion. Comfort supposes the relief to be afforded by imparting positive enjoyment, as well as a diminution of pain. “Consolation, or comfort, signifies some alleviation to that pain to which it is not in our power to afford the proper and adequate remedy; they imply rather an augmentation of the power of bearing, than a diminution of the burden.” Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A stuffed or quilted coverlet for a bed; a comforter; a comfort. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. confortable. ] 1. Strong; vigorous; valiant. [ Obs. ] Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake be comfortable; hold death a while at the arm's end. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Serviceable; helpful. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Be comfortable to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Affording or imparting comfort or consolation; able to comfort; cheering; as, a comfortable hope. “Kind words and comfortable.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

A comfortable provision made for their subsistence. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. In a condition of comfort; having comforts; not suffering or anxious; hence, contented; cheerful; as, to lead a comfortable life. [ 1913 Webster ]

My lord leans wondrously to discontent;
His comfortable temper has forsook him:
He is much out of health. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Free, or comparatively free, from pain or distress; -- used of a sick person. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. State of being comfortable. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a comfortable or comforting manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem. Is. xl. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who administers comfort or consolation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let no comforter delight mine ear
But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Script.) The Holy Spirit, -- referring to his office of comforting believers. [ 1913 Webster ]

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things. John xiv. 26. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A knit woolen tippet, long and narrow. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The American schoolboy takes off his comforter and unbuttons his jacket before going in for a snowball fight. Pop. Sci. Monthly. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Job's comforter, a boil. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. providing freedom from worry.
Syn. -- cheering, satisfying. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. affording comfort or solace.
Syn. -- consolatory, consoling. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Without comfort or comforts; in want or distress; cheerless. [ 1913 Webster ]

Comfortless through tyranny or might. Spenser.

Syn. -- Forlorn; desolate; cheerless; inconsolable; disconsolate; wretched; miserable.

-- Com"fort*less*ly, adv. -- Com"fort*less*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

When all is coldly, comfortlessly costly. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]