5. (Law) Unlawful support, countenance, or encouragement; as, to give aid and comfort to the enemy.
Syn. -- Comfort, Consolation. Comfort has two meanings: 1. Strength and relief received under affliction; 2. Positive enjoyment, of a quiet, permanent nature, together with the sources thereof; as, the comfort of love; surrounded with comforts; but it is with the former only that the word consolation is brought into comparison. As thus compared, consolation points to some specific source of relief for the afflicted mind; as, the consolations of religion. Comfort supposes the relief to be afforded by imparting positive enjoyment, as well as a diminution of pain. "Consolation, or comfort, signifies some alleviation to that pain to which it is not in our power to afford the proper and adequate remedy; they imply rather an augmentation of the power of bearing, than a diminution of the burden." Johnson.
Com"fort*a*ble (?), a. [OF. confortable.] 1. Strong; vigorous; valiant. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake be comfortable; hold death a while at the arm's end.
Shak.