See Also: comfortable(dictionary)
comfortable(dictionary)

comfortable (iou)



comfortable adjective & noun. ME.
[Anglo-Norman confortable, formed as COMFORT verb: see -ABLE.]
A. adjective.
I. Active.
Giving mental or spiritual delight; pleasant; pleasing to the senses. ME-M18.
b. Satisfactory; colloq. tolerable, fairly good. M17-E18.
Strengthening (morally, spiritually, or physically); sustaining; encouraging, reassuring. arch. LME.
the Comfortable Words four scriptural passages following and confirming the absolution in some Eucharistic rites.
G. Berkeley The comfortable expectation of Immortality.
b. Helpful, serviceable. L16-E18.
Defoe Their..canoes which had been so comfortable to them.
Affording or conveying consolation; comforting; consolatory. arch. LME.
Shakespeare All's Well Be comfortable to my mother.., and make much of her.
Such as to obviate hardship, save trouble, and promote content; ministering to comfort; freeing from anxiety or concern. M18.
N. Shute On the table at a comfortable height for Elspeth. P. Redgrove A very comfortable income.
b. (Of a margin) large enough to avoid any challenge or doubt; (of a victory) achieved with ease. M20.
II. Passive & neutral.
Consoled; cheerful. L16-M18.
At ease, free from hardship, pain, and trouble; enjoying comfort; having ample money for one's needs; having an easy conscience. L18.
Oxford English Dictionary I am not..quite comfortable about the matter. E. M. Forster Would she not be more comfortable..at the hotel? W. Faulkner She was of comfortable peoplenot the best in Jefferson, but good people enough.
b. Undisturbed; complacent; placidly self-satisfied. colloq. M19.
B. Pym The comfortable assumption of so much that could be left to the women.
b. noun.
A source of comfort; a creature comfort. M17-L18.
A warm article of clothing, a comforter; US a warm quilt. M19.
comfortableness noun L16.
comfortably adverb in a comfortable manner; so as to be comfortable; (
comfortably off, having ample money for one's needs): LME.