comfort

Where does the word "comfort" come from? It comes from Latin confortare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Comfort’s story begins in Latin: confortare meant “to strengthen greatly.” 'com-', intensive, plus 'fortis', strong. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as conforter. Meant giving courage and support, not physical ease. It reached English by 1200s as comfort. The sense of physical ease arose in the 1700s. Today, comfort means a state of ease; consolation in grief.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient confortare "to strengthen greatly", 'com-', intensive, plus 'fortis', strong.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval conforter "to strengthen, console", meant giving courage and support, not physical ease.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s comfort "consolation", the sense of physical ease arose in the 1700s.