¹solace

transitive verb so·lace \ˈsä-ləs also ˈsō-\

so·lacedso·lac·ing

Definition of SOLACE

: to give comfort to in grief or misfortune : console

a : to make cheerful

b : amuse

: allay, soothe <solace grief>

— so·lace·ment \-mənt\ noun

— so·lac·er noun

Solaced by an abundance of whisky, champagne and cigars, he always bounced back, restoring and recreating himself through intensely active immersion in one or another of his varied interests … —Robert Kuttner, New York Times Book Review, 23 Oct. 1988
In this deplorable state, I contrived to do, what I take to have been, three Objective things. I got Mr. Franklin his sherry; I retired to my own room; and I solaced myself with the most composing pipe of tobacco I ever remember to have smoked in my life. —Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone, 1868
… and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning if Miss Bennet were not decidedly better. Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness, however, by duets after supper … —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813
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First Known Use: 13th century

noun so·lace \ˈsä-ləs also ˈsō-\

: someone or something that gives a feeling of comfort to a person who is sad, depressed, etc. : a source of comfort

: comfort in grief : alleviation of grief or anxiety

: a source of relief or consolation

See solace defined for English-language learners

See solace defined for kids

Think your city's suffering? Imagine if your favorite team bolted town after 41 seasons, not for some cosmopolitan burg but a dusty outpost where oil derricks qualify as urban skyline. Now imagine turning to your city's other teams for solace only to find each to be avert-your-eyes abysmal. —Chris Ballard, Sports Illustrated, 10 Nov. 2008
It's important to explain what's going on, but some parents tell their child too much—about being lonely and frightened, about dates they're going on. Instead of the parent offering emotional solace to the child, the child is expected to provide it for the adult. —People, 4 Mar. 2002
Poe's poem is a morbidly sentimental threnody on the same theme: the speaker blames the envious angels for taking his beloved from this world, and finds solace in lying beside her grave. —David Lodge, The Art of Fiction, 1992
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