solace

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

Solace’s story begins in Latin: solari meant “to comfort, to soothe.” The root of 'console' and 'inconsolable'. Within Latin, it grew into solacium by ancient. Comfort, relief, from solari. From there it passed into Old French as solas by medieval. Carried into French for a feeling of comfort in sorrow. It reached English by 1300s as solace. Settled as the English word for comfort in a time of distress. Today, solace means comfort or relief experienced during a time of sadness or distress.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient solari "to comfort, to soothe", the root of 'console' and 'inconsolable'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient solacium "comfort, relief", comfort, relief, from solari.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval solas "a feeling of comfort in sorrow", carried into French for a feeling of comfort in sorrow.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s solace "comfort or relief in a time of distress", settled as the English word for comfort in a time of distress.