Chapter 56

Com"fort (?), n. [OF. confort, fr. conforter.] 1. Assistance; relief; support. [Obs. except in the phrase "aid and comfort." See 5 below.] Shak.

2. Encouragement; solace; consolation in trouble; also, that which affords consolation.

In comfort of her mother's fears. Shak.

Cheer thy spirit with this comfort. Shak.

Speaking words of endearment where words of comfort availed not. Longfellow.

3. A state of quiet enjoyment; freedom from pain, want, or anxiety; also, whatever contributes to such a condition.

I had much joy and comfort in thy love. Phil. 7 (Rev. Ver.).

He had the means of living in comfort. Macaulay.

4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [U. S.]

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.

2. Serviceable; helpful. [Obs.]

Be comfortable to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her. Shak.

3. Affording or imparting comfort or consolation; able to comfort; cheering; as, a comfortable hope. "Kind words and comfortable." Cowper.

A comfortable provision made for their subsistence. Dryden.

4. In a condition of comfort; having comforts; not suffering or anxious; hence, contented; cheerful; as, to lead a comfortable life.

My lord leans wondrously to discontent; His comfortable temper has forsook him: He is much out of health. Shak.

5. Free, or comparatively free, from pain or distress; -- used of a sick person. [U. S.]

Com"fort*a*ble, n. A stuffed or quilted coverlet for a bed; a comforter; a comfort. [U. S.]

Com"fort*a*ble*ness, n. State of being comfortable.

Com"fort*a*bly, adv. In a comfortable or comforting manner.

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem. Is. xl. 2.

Com"fort*er (?), n. 1. One who administers comfort or consolation.

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

2. (Script.) The Holy Spirit, -- referring to his office of comforting believers.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things. John xiv. 26.

3. A knit woolen tippet, long and narrow. [U. S.]

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

4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [U. S.]

Job's comforter, a boil. [Colloq.]

Com"fort*less, a. Without comfort or comforts; in want or distress; cheerless.

Comfortless through tyranny or might. Spenser.

Syn. -- Forlorn; desolate; cheerless; inconsolable; disconsolate; wretched; miserable.

-- Com"fort*less*ly, adv. -- Com"fort*less*ness, n.

When all is coldly, comfortlessly costly. Milton.

Com"fort*ment (?), n. Act or process of administering comfort. [Obs.]

The gentle comfortment and entertainment of the said embassador. Hakluyt.

Com"fort*ress (?), n. A woman who comforts.

To be your comfortress, and to preserve you. B. Jonson.

Com"frey (?), n. [Prob. from F. conferve, L. conferva, fr. confervere to boil together, in medical language, to heal, grow together. So called on account of its healing power, for which reason it was also called consolida.] (Bot.) A rough, hairy, perennial plant of several species, of the genus Symphytum.

&fist; A decoction of the mucilaginous root of the "common comfrey" (S. officinale) is used in cough mixtures, etc.; and the gigantic "prickly comfrey" (S. asperrimum) is somewhat cultivated as a forage plant.

Com"ic (?), a. [L. comicus pertaining to comedy, Gr. &?;: cf. F. comique. See Comedy.] 1. Relating to comedy, as distinct from tragedy.

I can not for the stage a drama lay, Tragic or comic, but thou writ'st the play. B. Jonson.

2. Causing mirth; ludicrous. "Comic shows." Shak.

Com"ic, n. A comedian. [Obs.] Steele.

Com"ic*al (?), a. 1. Relating to comedy.

They deny it to be tragical because its catastrophe is a wedding, which hath ever been accounted comical. Gay.

2. Exciting mirth; droll; laughable; as, a comical story. "Comical adventures." Dryden.

Syn. -- Humorous; laughable; funny. See Droll.

-- Com"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Com"ic*al"ness, n.

Com`i*cal"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Comicalities (#). The quality of being comical; something comical.

Com"ic*ry (?), n. The power of exciting mirth; comicalness. [R.] H. Giles.

Com"ing (?), a. 1. Approaching; of the future, especially the near future; the next; as, the coming week or year; the coming exhibition.

Welcome the coming, speed the parting, guest. Pope.

Your coming days and years. Byron.

2. Ready to come; complaisant; fond. [Obs.] Pope.

Com"ing, n. 1. Approach; advent; manifestation; as, the coming of the train.

2. Specifically: The Second Advent of Christ.

Coming in. (a) Entrance; entrance way; manner of entering; beginning. "The goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof." Ezek. xliii. 11 (b) Income or revenue. "What are thy comings in?" Shak.

||Co*mi"ti*a (?), n. pl. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.) A public assembly of the Roman people for electing officers or passing laws.

&fist; There were three kinds of comitia: comitia curiata, or assembly of the patricians, who voted in curiŠ; comitia centuriata, or assembly of the whole Roman people, who voted by centuries; and comitia tributa, or assembly of the plebeians according to their division into tribes.

Co*mi"tial (?), a. [L. comitialis.] Relating to the comitia, or popular assemblies of the Romans for electing officers and passing laws. Middleton.

Com"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Comities (#). [L. comitas, fr. comis courteous, kind.] Mildness and suavity of manners; courtesy between equals; friendly civility; as, comity of manners; the comity of States.

Comity of nations (International Law), the courtesy by which nations recognize within their own territory, or in their courts, the peculiar institutions of another nation or the rights and privileges acquired by its citizens in their own land. By some authorities private international law rests on this comity, but the better opinion is that it is part of the common law of the land, and hence is obligatory as law.

Syn. -- Civility; good breeding; courtesy; good will.

Com"ma (?), n. [L. comma part of a sentence, comma, Gr. &?; clause, fr. &?; to cut off. Cf. Capon.] 1. A character or point [,] marking the smallest divisions of a sentence, written or printed.

2. (Mus.) A small interval (the difference between a major and minor half step), seldom used except by tuners.

Comma bacillus (Physiol.), a variety of bacillus shaped like a comma, found in the intestines of patients suffering from cholera. It is considered by some as having a special relation to the disease; -- called also cholera bacillus. -- Comma butterfly (Zo÷l.), an American butterfly (Grapta comma), having a white comma-shaped marking on the under side of the wings.

Com*mand" (?; 61), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Commanding.] [OE. comaunden, commanden, OF. comander, F. commander, fr. L. com- + mandare to commit to, to command. Cf. Commend, Mandate.] 1. To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.

We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends. Bacon.

Go to your mistress: Say, I command her come to me. Shak.

2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.

Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries. Macaulay.

Such aid as I can spare you shall command. Shak.

3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.

Bridges commanded by a fortified house. Motley.

Up to the eastern tower, Whose height commands as subject all the vale. Shak.

One side commands a view of the finest garden. Addison.

4. To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.

'Tis not in mortals to command success. Addison.

5. To direct to come; to bestow. [Obs.]

I will command my blessing upon you. Lev. xxv. 21.

Syn. -- To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook.

Com*mand", v. i. 1. To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.

And reigned, commanding in his monarchy. Shak.

For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman]. Esth. iii. 2.

2. To have a view, as from a superior position.

Far and wide his eye commands. Milton.

Com*mand", n. 1. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.

Awaiting what command their mighty chief Had to impose. Milton.

2. The possession or exercise of authority.

Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion. Locke.

3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.

4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.

The steepy stand Which overlooks the vale with wide command. Dryden.

5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.

He assumed an absolute command over his readers. Dryden.

6. A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.

Word of command (Mil.), a word or phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.

Syn. -- Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest. See Direction.

Com*mand"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being commanded.

Com`man*dant" (?), n. [F., orig. p. pr. of commander.] A commander; the commanding officer of a place, or of a body of men; as, the commandant of a navy-yard.

Com*mand"a*to*ry (?), a. Mandatory; as, commandatory authority. [Obs.]

Com*mand"er (?), n. [Cf. F. commandeur. Cf. Commodore, Commender.] 1. A chief; one who has supreme authority; a leader; the chief officer of an army, or of any division of it.

A leader and commander to the people. Is. lv. 4.

2. (Navy) An officer who ranks next below a captain, -- ranking with a lieutenant colonel in the army.

3. The chief officer of a commandery.

4. A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.

Commander in chief, the military title of the officer who has supreme command of the land or naval forces or the united forces of a nation or state; a generalissimo. The President is commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States.

Syn. -- See Chief.

Com*mand"er*ship, n. The office of a commander.

Com*mand"er*y (?), n.; pl. Commanderies (#). [F. commanderie.] 1. The office or rank of a commander. [Obs.]

2. A district or a manor with lands and tenements appertaining thereto, under the control of a member of an order of knights who was called a commander; -- called also a preceptory.

3. An assembly or lodge of Knights Templars (so called) among the Freemasons. [U. S.]

4. A district under the administration of a military commander or governor. [R.] Brougham.

Com*mand"ing, a. 1. Exercising authority; actually in command; as, a commanding officer.

2. Fitted to impress or control; as, a commanding look or presence.

3. Exalted; overlooking; having superior strategic advantages; as, a commanding position.

Syn. -- Authoritative; imperative; imperious.

Com*mand"ing*ly, adv. In a commanding manner.

Com*mand"ment (?), n. [OF. commandement, F. commandement.] 1. An order or injunction given by authority; a command; a charge; a precept; a mandate.

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another. John xiii. 34.

2. (Script.) One of the ten laws or precepts given by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.

3. The act of commanding; exercise of authority.

And therefore put I on the countenance Of stern commandment. Shak.

4. (Law) The offense of commanding or inducing another to violate the law.

The Commandments, The Ten Commandments, the Decalogue, or summary of God's commands, given to Moses at Mount Sinai. (Ex. xx.)

Com*mand"ress (?), n. A woman invested with authority to command. Hooker.

Com*mand"ry (?), n. See Commandery.

Com"mark` (?), n. [OF. comarque, or LL. commarca, commarcha; com- + marcha, boundary. See March a confine.] The frontier of a country; confines. [Obs.] Shelton.

Com`ma*te"ri*al (?), a. Consisting of the same material. [Obs.] Bacon.

Com*mat"ic (?), a. [L. commaticus, Gr. &?;. See Comma.] Having short clauses or sentences; brief; concise.

Com"ma*tism (?), n. [See Commatic.] Conciseness in writing. Bp. Horsley.

Com*meas"ur*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. Commensurable.] Having the same measure; commensurate; proportional.

She being now removed by death, a commeasurable grief took as full possession of him as joy had done. I. Walton.

Com*meas"ure (?), v. t. To be commensurate with; to equal. Tennyson.

Com*mem"o*ra"ble (?), a. [L. commemorabilis.] Worthy to be commemorated.

Com*mem"o*rate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commemorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Commemorating.] [L. commemoratus, p. p. of commemorare to remember; com- + memorare to mention, fr. memor mindful. See Memory.] To call to remembrance by a special act or observance; to celebrate with honor and solemnity; to honor, as a person or event, by some act of respect or affection, intended to preserve the remembrance of the person or event; as, to commemorate the sufferings and dying love of our Savior by the sacrament of the Lord's Supper; to commemorate the Declaration of Independence by the observance of the Fourth of July.

We are called upon to commemorate a revolution. Atterbury.

Syn. -- See Celebrate.

Com*mem`o*ra"tion (?), n. [L. commemoratio.] 1. The act of commemorating; an observance or celebration designed to honor the memory of some person or event.

This sacrament was designed to be a standing commemoration of the death and passion of our Lord. Abp. Tillotson.

The commonwealth which . . . chooses the most flagrant act of murderous regicide treason for a feast of eternal commemoration. Burke.

2. Whatever serves the purpose of commemorating; a memorial.

Commemoration day, at the University of Oxford, Eng., an annual observance or ceremony in honor of the benefactors of the University, at which time honorary degrees are conferred.

Com*mem"o*ra*tive (?), a. Tending or intended to commemorate. "A sacrifice commemorative of Christ's offering up his body for us." Hammond.

An inscription commemorative of his victory. Sir G. C. Lewis.

Com*mem"o*ra`tor (?), n. [L.] One who commemorates.

Com*mem"o*ra*to*ry (?), a. Serving to commemorate; commemorative. Bp. Hooper.

Com*mence" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Commenced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Commencing.] [F. commencer, OF. comencier, fr. L. com- + initiare to begin. See Initiate.] 1. To have a beginning or origin; to originate; to start; to begin.

Here the anthem doth commence. Shak.

His heaven commences ere the world be past. Goldsmith.

2. To begin to be, or to act as. [Archaic]

We commence judges ourselves. Coleridge.

3. To take a degree at a university. [Eng.]

I question whether the formality of commencing was used in that age. Fuller.

Com*mence", v. t. To enter upon; to begin; to perform the first act of.

Many a wooer doth commence his suit. Shak.

&fist; It is the practice of good writers to use the verbal noun (instead of the infinitive with to) after commence; as, he commenced studying, not he commenced to study.

Com*mence"ment (?), n. [F. commencement.] 1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start.

The time of Henry VII. . . . nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed "modern history." Hallam.

2. The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.

Com*mend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commended; p. pr. & vb. n. Commending.] [L. commendare; com- + mandare to intrust to one's charge, enjoin, command. Cf. Command, Mandate.] 1. To commit, intrust, or give in charge for care or preservation.

His eye commends the leading to his hand. Shak.

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Luke xxiii. 46.

2. To recommend as worthy of confidence or regard; to present as worthy of notice or favorable attention.

Among the objects of knowledge, two especially commend themselves to our contemplation. Sir M. Hale.

I commend unto you Phebe our sister. Rom. xvi. 1.

3. To mention with approbation; to praise; as, to commend a person or an act.

Historians commend Alexander for weeping when he read the actions of Achilles. Dryden.

4. To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and good will. [Archaic]

Commend me to my brother. Shak.

Com*mend", n. 1. Commendation; praise. [Obs.]

Speak in his just commend. Shak.

2. pl. Compliments; greetings. [Obs.]

Hearty commends and much endeared love to you. Howell.

Com*mend"a*ble (?), a. (Formerly accented on the first syllable.) [L. commendabilis.] Worthy of being commended or praised; laudable; praiseworthy.

Order and decent ceremonies in the church are not only comely but commendable. Bacon.

-- Com*mend"a*ble*ness, n. -- Com*mend"a*bly, adv.

Com*men"dam (?), n. [LL. dare in commendam to give into trust.] (Eng. Eccl. Law) A vacant living or benefice commended to a cleric (usually a bishop) who enjoyed the revenue until a pastor was provided. A living so held was said to be held in commendam. The practice was abolished by law in 1836.

There was [formerly] some sense for commendams. Selden.

Partnership in commendam. See under Partnership.

Com*mend"a*ta*ry (?), n. [Cf. F. commendataire, LL. commendatarius.] One who holds a living in commendam.

Com`men*da"tion (?), n. [L. commendatio.] 1. The act of commending; praise; favorable representation in words; recommendation.

Need we . . . epistles of commendation? 2 Cor. iii. 1.

By the commendation of the great officers. Bacon.

2. That which is the ground of approbation or praise.

Good nature is the most godlike commendation of a man. Dryden.

3. pl. A message of affection or respect; compliments; greeting. [Obs.]

Hark you, Margaret; No princely commendations to my king? Shak.

Com*mend"a*tor (? or ?), n. [LL.] One who holds a benefice in commendam; a commendatary. Chalmers.

Com*mend"a*to*ry (?), a. [L. commendatorius.] 1. Serving to commend; containing praise or commendation; commending; praising. "Commendatory verses." Pope.

2. Holding a benefice in commendam; as, a commendatory bishop. Burke.

Commendatory prayer (Book of Common Prayer), a prayer read over the dying. "The commendatory prayer was said for him, and, as it ended, he [William III.] died." Bp. Burnet.

Com*mend"a*to*ry, n. A commendation; eulogy. [R.] "Commendatories to our affection." Sharp.

Com*mend"er (?), n. One who commends or praises.

Com*men"sal (?), n. [LL. commensalis; L. com- + mensa table: cf. F. commensal. Cf. Mensal.] 1. One who eats at the same table. [Obs.]

2. (Zo÷l.) An animal, not truly parasitic, which lives in, with, or on, another, partaking usually of the same food. Both species may be benefited by the association.

Com*men"sal (?), a. Having the character of a commensal.

Com*men"sal*ism (?), n. The act of eating together; table fellowship.

Com`men*sal"i*ty (?), n. Fellowship at table; the act or practice of eating at the same table. [Obs.] "Promiscuous commensality." Sir T. Browne.

Com`men*sa"tion (?), n. Commensality. [Obs.]

Daniel . . . declined pagan commensation. Sir T. Browne.

Com*men`su*ra*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. commensurabilitÚ.] The quality of being commensurable. Sir T. Browne.

Com*men"su*ra*ble (?), a. [L. commensurabilis; pref. com- + mensurable. See Commensurate, and cf. Commeasurable.] Having a common measure; capable of being exactly measured by the same number, quantity, or measure. -- Com*men"su*ra*ble*ness, n.

Commensurable numbers or quantities (Math.), those that can be exactly expressed by some common unit; thus a foot and yard are commensurable, since both can be expressed in terms of an inch, one being 12 inches, the other 36 inches. -- Numbers, or Quantities, commensurable in power, those whose squares are commensurable.

Com*men"su*ra*bly (?), adv. In a commensurable manner; so as to be commensurable.

Com*men"su*rate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commensurated; p. pr. & vb. n. Commensurating.] [Pref. com- + mensurate.] 1. To reduce to a common measure. Sir T. Browne.

2. To proportionate; to adjust. T. Puller

Com*men"su*rate (?), a. 1. Having a common measure; commensurable; reducible to a common measure; as, commensurate quantities.

2. Equal in measure or extent; proportionate.

Those who are persuaded that they shall continue forever, can not choose but aspire after a happiness commensurate to their duration. Tillotson.

Com*men"su*rate*ly, adv. 1. In a commensurate manner; so as to be equal or proportionate; adequately.

2. With equal measure or extent. Goodwin.

Com*men"su*rate*ness, n. The state or quality of being commensurate. Foster.

Com*men`su*ra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. commensuration.] The act of commensurating; the state of being commensurate.

All fitness lies in a particular commensuration, or proportion of one thing to another. South.

Com"ment (?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Commented; p. pr. & vb. n. Commenting.] [F. commenter, L. commentari to meditate upon, explain, v. intens. of comminisci, commentus, to reflect upon, invent; com- + the root of meminisse to remember, mens mind. See Mind.] To make remarks, observations, or criticism; especially, to write notes on the works of an author, with a view to illustrate his meaning, or to explain particular passages; to write annotations; -- often followed by on or upon.

A physician to comment on your malady. Shak.

Critics . . . proceed to comment on him. Dryden.

I must translate and comment. Pope.

Com"ment, v. t. To comment on. [Archaic.] Fuller.

Com"ment, n. [Cf. OF. comment.] 1. A remark, observation, or criticism; gossip; discourse; talk.

Their lavish comment when her name was named. Tennyson.

2. A note or observation intended to explain, illustrate, or criticise the meaning of a writing, book, etc.; explanation; annotation; exposition.

All the volumes of philosophy, With all their comments. Prior.

Com"men*ta*ry (?), n.; pl. Commentaries (#). [L. commentarius, commentarium, note book, commentary: cf. F. commentaire. See Comment, v. i.] 1. A series of comments or annotations; esp., a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or a part of the Scriptures or of some other work.

This letter . . . was published by him with a severe commentary. Hallam.