Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COM'FORT, n.

1. Relief from pain; ease; rest or moderate pleasure after pain, cold, or distress, or uneasiness of body. The word signifies properly, new strength, or animation; and relief from pain is often the effect of strength. In a popular sense, the word signifies rather negatively, the absence of pain and the consequent quiet, than positive animation.
2. Relief from distress of mind; the ease and quiet which is experienced when pain, trouble, agitation, or affliction ceases. It implies also some degree of positive animation of the spirits; or some pleasurable sensations derived from hope, and agreeable prospects; consolation. Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little. – Job x. Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. – Matth. ix.
3. Support; consolation under calamity, distress, or danger. Let thy merciful kindness be for my comfort. – Ps. cxix.
4. That which gives strength or support in distress, difficulty, danger, or infirmity; as, pious children are the comfort of their aged parents.
5. In law, support; assistance; countenance; encouragement; as, an accessory affords aid or comfort to a felon.
6. That which gives security from want and furnishes moderate enjoyment; as, the comforts of life.