succor
[suhk-er]
- help; relief; aid; assistance.
- a person or thing that gives help, relief, aid, etc.
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- to help or relieve.
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Also especially British, suc·cour.
Origin of succor
1250–1300; (v.) Middle English sucuren < Old French suc(c)urre, socorre < Latin succurrere to go beneath, run to help, equivalent to suc- suc- + currere to run (see current); (noun) Middle English soc(o)ur, back formation from sucurs (taken as plural) < Old French < Medieval Latin succursus, equivalent to Latin succur(rere) + -sus, var of -tus suffix of v. action
Synonyms
See more synonyms for succor on Thesaurus.comUsage note
See -or1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for succor
Contemporary Examples
Such attention comes too late to offer any succor or comfort to the families, friends, and co-workers mourning the dead.
And if it is to truly heal, Palestinians and Israelis must make of the scar a source of succor, not fear.
The human soul is an ocean tossed by storms of passion, deep and bottomless in its need for succor and nourishment.
In contrast, a mammalian infant depends on the separation cry for succor and security.
Here's the platform the new Washington can succor: We want good schools, but don't fire bad teachers.
Historical Examples
What are kings made for, save to succor the feeble and distressed?
Tanglewood TalesNathaniel Hawthorne
We slept five times instead of thrice and still no succor came.
The Long Labrador TrailDillon Wallace
She must have heard and have known that people were there, trying to succor her.
FruitfulnessEmile Zola
They dashed after their new leader with only an instinct for shelter and succor.
Snow-Bound at Eagle'sBret Harte
She was alone; he was hidden from the view of the men on the point, and no succor could come from them.
Devil's FordBret Harte
Word Origin and History for succor
n.
early 13c., from Anglo-French succors "help, aid," Old French sucurres, from Medieval Latin succursus "help, assistance," from past participle of Latin succurrere "run to help," from sub "up to" + currere "to run" (see current (adj.)). Final -s mistaken as a plural inflexion and dropped late 13c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper