Discomfort
/ˌdɪsˈkʌmfət/noun
A feeling of slight pain, unease, or awkwardness.
Did you know?The first part, dis-, is the same ancient negating force behind words like disarm and disable, while comfort comes from Latin roots meaning “to strengthen together,” so the word originally means to be denied strengthening support.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
dis-
“a prefix meaning “apart,” “away,” or “not””
Latin
Latin
com- + fortis
““with” + “strong,” in the sense of strengthening or supporting”
Old French
Old French
desconforter
“to distress, discourage, or deprive of comfort”
14th Century
Middle English
discomforten
“to deprive of comfort; to distress”
Modern English
English
discomfort
“a feeling of unease, pain, or lack of comfort”