comforter — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A person who comforts someone who is suffering.

   Synonyms

   consoler

   Examples

   Let no comforter delight mine ear / But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine.

   More examples (2)

   The comforters, relaxed in sarongs after the day's work, kicked off their sandals at the top of Syed Omar's steps and made their obeisances to the wives, to the elder children, and to the gloomy head of the house.

   There are 157 men with AIDS/ARC in the small unit where I am housed. Many of us are abandoned by friends, family, lovers and spiritual comforters. And this is why I am reaching out to you.

2. A padded cover for a bed, duvet, continental quilt.

   Usage

   • US usage

   Synonyms

   duvet(continental) quilt

   Examples

   A vast quilt or comforter was heaped beside the bed, in a broad puddle of congealed blood, thick and shiny on the patterned rugs.

3. A woollen scarf for winter.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Dated

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   […] round his neck he wore a flaming red worsted comforter, whereof the straggling ends peeped out beneath his threadbare Newmarket coat, which was very tight and buttoned all the way up.

   The American schoolboy takes off his comforter and unbuttons his jacket before going in for a snowball fight.

   More examples (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. A pacifier.

   Usage

   • Australia
   • New-Zealand

Noun

1. a person who commiserates with someone who has had misfortune

   Synonyms

   sympathizersympathiser

   Broader terms

   communicator

2. a person who reduces the intensity (e.g., of fears) and calms and pacifies

   Synonyms

   relieverallayer

   Broader terms

   actordoerworker

   Examples

   a reliever of anxiety

   an allayer of fears

3. bedding made of two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together

   Synonyms

   quiltcomfortpuff

   Broader terms

   bedclothesbed clothingbedding

4. device used for an infant to suck or bite on

   Synonyms

   pacifierbaby's dummyteething ring

   Broader terms

   device