Comfort

Comfort

Comfort (or comfortability, or being comfortable) is a sense of physical or psychological ease, often characterized as a lack of hardship. A degree of psychological comfort can be achieved by recreating experiences that are associated with pleasant memories, such as engaging in familiar activities,[1] maintaining the presence of familiar objects,[1] and consumption of comfort foods. Comfort is a particular concern in health care, as providing comfort to the sick and injured is one goal of healthcare, and can facilitate recovery.[2] Persons who are surrounded with things that provide psychological comfort may be described as being within their comfort zone. Persons who are lacking in comfort are uncomfortable, or experiencing discomfort.

Because of the personal nature of positive associations, psychological comfort is highly subjective.[2]

The use of "comfort" as a verb generally implies that the subject is in a state of discomfort or affliction. Where the term is used to describe the support given to someone who has experienced a tragedy, the word is synonymous with consolation or solace. However, comfort is used much more broadly, as one can provide physical comfort to someone who is not in a position to be uncomfortable. For example, a person might sit in a chair without discomfort, but still find the addition of a pillow to the chair to increase their feeling of comfort.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Daniel Miller, The Comfort of Things (2009).
  2. ^ a b Katharine Kolcaba, Comfort Theory and Practice: A Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research (2003).

External links



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  • Comfort — Com fort, n. [OF. confort, fr. conforter.] 1. Assistance; relief; support. [Obs. except in the phrase aid and comfort. See 5 below.] Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Encouragement; solace; consolation in trouble; also, that which affords consolation.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Comfort — Com fort, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Comforted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Comforting.}] [F. conforter, fr. L. confortare to strengthen much; con + fortis strong. See {Fort}.] 1. To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate. [Obs.] Wyclif. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • comfort — n ease, *rest, repose, relaxation, leisure Analogous words: contentedness or content, satisfaction (see corre sponding adjectives under SATISFY vb): enjoyment, joy, fruition, *pleasure: relief, assuagement, alleviation (see corresponding verbs at …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • comfort — [kum′fərt] vt. [ME comforten < OFr conforter, to comfort < LL (esp. in Vulg. of O.T.) confortare, to strengthen much < L com , intens. + fortis, strong: see FORT1] 1. to soothe in distress or sorrow; ease the misery or grief of; bring… …   English World dictionary

  • Comfort — (Марина ди Кампо,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II , 57034 Марина …   Каталог отелей

  • Comfort — Comfort, TX U.S. Census Designated Place in Texas Population (2000): 2358 Housing Units (2000): 917 Land area (2000): 3.205519 sq. miles (8.302256 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.014612 sq. miles (0.037845 sq. km) Total area (2000): 3.220131 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Comfort, TX — U.S. Census Designated Place in Texas Population (2000): 2358 Housing Units (2000): 917 Land area (2000): 3.205519 sq. miles (8.302256 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.014612 sq. miles (0.037845 sq. km) Total area (2000): 3.220131 sq. miles (8.340101 …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • comfort — [n1] good feeling; ease abundance, alleviation, amenity, assuagement, bed of roses*, cheer, cheerfulness, complacency, contentment, convenience, coziness, creature comforts*, enjoyment, exhilaration, facility, gratification, happiness, luxury,… …   New thesaurus

  • comfort — ► NOUN 1) a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint. 2) (comforts) things that contribute to comfort. 3) consolation for grief or anxiety. ► VERB ▪ cause to feel less unhappy; console. DERIVATIVES comforting …   English terms dictionary

  • Comfort 24 — (Одесса,Украина) Категория отеля: Адрес: Frantsuzskiy Boulevard 16, Одесса, 65000, Украи …   Каталог отелей

  • Comfort — (engl.), 1) Hülfe; 2) Bequemlichkeit, Behaglichkeit; daher: Comfortabel (spr. Comfortäbl), bequem, behaglich …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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