comfort
/ˈkʌmfərt/
noun
Origin
Latin
confortare — to strengthen much
Overview
Meaning Now
- A state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.
- The easing or alleviation of a person's feelings of grief or distress.
- A person or thing that helps to alleviate a difficult situation.
Literal older meaning
To strengthen greatly
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
conforter
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word originally carried a much stronger sense of 'strengthening' or 'invigorating' (as seen in the archaic 'comforter' used to describe the Holy Spirit as a source of strength). Over time, the sense shifted from active strengthening to passive relief or ease.
Evolution
- 1st century Latin
confortare
“to strengthen thoroughly”
From 'com-' (intensive) + 'fortis' (strong).
- 12th century Old French
conforter
“to solace, to cheer up, to strengthen”
Entered English following the Norman Conquest.
- 14th century Middle English
comfort
“physical relief or emotional consolation”
Connections
Word parts
com-
prefix
together; intensive
fort
root
strong
-t
suffix
noun-forming
Related across languages
French
confort
comfort
Spanish
confort
comfort
Italian
conforto
consolation
Explore next
Related to comfort
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.