consolation

Where does the word "consolation" come from? It comes from Latin solari, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Consolation’s story begins in Latin: solari meant “to comfort, to soothe.” To comfort, to soothe, combined with com- (thoroughly). Within Latin, it grew into consolatio by ancient. Comfort, relief from sorrow, from consolari. It reached English by 1300s as consolation. Settled as the English word for comfort given at a time of grief or disappointment. Today, consolation means comfort or solace given to someone experiencing grief or disappointment.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient solari "to comfort, to soothe", to comfort, to soothe, combined with com- (thoroughly).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient consolatio "comfort, relief from sorrow", comfort, relief from sorrow, from consolari.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s consolation "comfort given at a time of grief or disappointment", settled as the English word for comfort given at a time of grief or disappointment.