Com″fort (?), n. [OF. confort, fr. conforter.] 1. Assistance; relief; support. [Obs. except in the phrase “aid and comfort.” See 5 below.]Shak.
2. Encouragement; solace; consolation in trouble; also, that which affords consolation.
In comfort of her mother's fears.
Shak.
Cheer thy spirit with this comfort.
Shak.
Speaking words of endearment where words of comfort availed not.
Longfellow.
3. A state of quiet enjoyment; freedom from pain, want, or anxiety; also, whatever contributes to such a condition.
I had much joy and comfort in thy love.
Phil. 7 (Rev. Ver.).
He had the means of living in comfort.
Macaulay.
4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable.
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.