succor

American  

[suhk-er] / ˈsʌk ər /

especially British, succour

noun

1. help; relief; aid; assistance.

   Synonyms:

   support

2. a person or thing that gives help, relief, aid, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to help or relieve.

   Synonyms:

   support

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Related Words

See help.

Other Word Forms

• nonsuccor noun
• succorable adjective
• succorer noun
• unsuccorable adjective
• unsuccored adjective

Etymology

Origin of succor

1250–1300; (verb) Middle English sucuren from Old French suc(c)urre, socorre from Latin succurrere “to go beneath, run to help,” equivalent to suc- suc- + currere “to run” ( current ); (noun) Middle English soc(o)ur, back formation from sucurs (taken as plural) from Old French from Medieval Latin succursus, equivalent to Latin succur(rere) + -sus, var of -tus suffix of verbal action

Example Sentences

He does not think Bethany’s spirit or ghost succored his cousin.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ukrainians have for centuries been mostly an agrarian nation, plowing fertile black soils and relying on neighbors for physical and spiritual succor.

From The Wall Street Journal

But late Tuesday night a district judge in Western Pennsylvania did give them some succor.

From Salon

Seeking succor when the world seems to be closing in on you is a quintessentially human habit.

From Los Angeles Times

For many, of course, participating in this culture has been a source of succor, whether in the dog days of “brat summer” or the depths of election week 2020.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sustenance