— comfortless , adj.
/kum"feuhrt/ , v.t.
1. to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to: They tried to comfort her after her loss.
2. to make physically comfortable.
3. Obs. to aid; support or encourage.
n.
4. relief in affliction; consolation; solace: Her presence was a comfort to him.
5. a feeling of relief or consolation: Her forgiveness afforded him great comfort.
6. a person or thing that gives consolation: She was a great comfort to him.
7. a cause or matter of relief or satisfaction: The patient's recovery was a comfort to the doctor.
8. a state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants, with freedom from pain and anxiety: He is a man who enjoys his comfort.
9. something that promotes such a state: His wealth allows him to enjoy a high degree of comfort.
10. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a comforter or quilt.
11. Obs. strengthening aid; assistance.
[ 1175-1225; (v.) ME comfortien, var. of confortien, conforten conforter confortare to strengthen, equiv. to con- CON- + -fortare v. deriv. of L fortis strong; (n.) ME ]
Syn. 1. pacify, calm, solace, gladden. COMFORT, CONSOLE, RELIEVE, SOOTHE imply assuaging sorrow, worry, discomfort, or pain. To COMFORT is to lessen the sadness or sorrow of someone and to strengthen by inspiring with hope and restoring a cheerful outlook: to comfort a despairing person. CONSOLE, a more formal word, means to make grief or distress seem lighter, by means of kindness and thoughtful attentions: to console a bereaved parent. RELIEVE means to lighten, lessen, or remove pain, trouble, discomfort, or hardship: to relieve a needy person. SOOTHE means to pacify or calm: to soothe a child. 1, 2 . ease. 8. See ease .