/ dɪsˈkʌmfət; NAmE -fərt/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U ] a feeling of slight pain or of being physically uncomfortable :
You will experience some minor discomfort during the treatment.
abdominal discomfort
2.
[ U ] a feeling of worry or embarrassment
SYN unease :
John's presence caused her considerable discomfort.
3.
[ C ] ( formal ) something that makes you feel uncomfortable or causes you a slight feeling of pain
■ verb
[ vn ] [ often passive ] ( formal ) to make sb feel anxious or embarrassed
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a verb in the sense dishearten ): from Old French desconforter (verb), desconfort (noun), from des- (expressing reversal) + conforter to comfort, from late Latin confortare strengthen, from com- (expressing intensive force) + Latin fortis strong.