v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Comforted; p. pr. & vb. n. Comforting. ] [ F. conforter, fr. L. confortare to strengthen much; con- + fortis strong. See Fort. ] 1. To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate. [ Obs. ] Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

God's own testimony . . . doth not a little comfort and confirm the same. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To assist or help; to aid. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I . . . can not help the noble chevalier:
God comfort him in this necessity! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To impart strength and hope to; to encourage; to relieve; to console; to cheer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

That we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction. 2 Cor. i. 4 (Rev. Ver.). [ 1913 Webster ]

A perfect woman, nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command. Wordsworth.

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.” Acts xx. 12. Solace is from L. solacium, which means according to Dumesnil, consolation inwardly felt or applied to the case of the sufferer. Hence, the verb to solace denotes the using of things for the purpose of affording relief under sorrow or suffering; as, to solace one's self with reflections, with books, or with active employments. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

n. Act or process of administering comfort. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The gentle comfortment and entertainment of the said embassador. Hakluyt. [ 1913 Webster ]