comfort
Definitions
A state of physical ease and freedom from pain or worry
舒适，安逸
Consolation or relief in times of grief or trouble
安慰，慰藉
To soothe someone in distress; to make them feel less worried or sad
安慰，抚慰
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcom- (here an intensifier, 'completely') + fort ('strong') = to make completely strong, from Latin confortare 'to strengthen.' Originally you comforted soldiers by giving them strength before battle. To comfort a grieving person is, etymologically, to strengthen them from within — to shore them up so they don't collapse.
Root forc still carries 40 more wordsWhy It Means This
Comfort looks unrelated to 'strength,' but it hides the same root as fort and fortify. com- ('completely') + fortis ('strong') meant 'to strengthen thoroughly.' Medieval people were 'comforted' the way troops are reinforced — given strength to carry on. Over the centuries the meaning softened from 'strengthen' to 'console,' and then to the physical ease of a comfortable life. The thread that survives: to comfort someone is to make them stronger inside so they can bear what they're facing.
Common Collocations
- 1.comfort zone舒适区
- 2.creature comforts生活享受
- 3.cold comfort聊以自慰的安慰
- 4.comfort food安慰性食物
- 5.take comfort in从…中得到安慰
Example Sentences
- 1.
She tried to comfort the crying child with a gentle hug.
- 2.
It was a comfort to know that help was on the way.
- 3.
After years of saving, they finally live in comfort.
- 4.
The soft music brought him a sense of comfort.