Main Entry: ¹com·fort

Pronunciation: \ˈkəm(p)-fərt\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French cunforter, comforter, from Late Latin confortare to strengthen greatly, from Latin com- + fortis strong

Date: 13th century

1 : to give strength and hope to : cheer
2 : to ease the grief or trouble of : console

— com·fort·ing·ly \-fər-tiŋ-lē\ adverb