Comforter

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈkÊŒmfÉ™tÉ™/
• US IPA: /ˈkÊŒmfÉ™rtÉ™r/

Origin

From Anglo-Norman confortour, from Old French conforter. See comfort.

Full definition of comforter

Noun

1. A person who comforts someone who is suffering.
• ShakespeareLet no comforter delight mine ear
  But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine.
2. A padded cover or quilt for a bed.
3. A woollen scarf for winter.
• Popular Science MonthlyThe American schoolboy takes off his comforter and unbuttons his jacket before going in for a snowball fight.
• 1905, w, w:The Case of Miss Elliott Chapter 1, “... Captain Markam had been found lying half-insensible, gagged and bound, on the floor of the sitting-room, his hands and feet tightly pinioned, and a woollen comforter wound closely round his mouth and neck; whilst Mrs. Markham's jewel-case, containing valuable jewellery and the secret plans of Port Arthur, had disappeared. ...”
4. (UK, NZ, AU) A pacifier.

Synonyms

• (person who comforts) consoler
• (padded bed cover) quilt

Anagrams

• recomfort