succour

/ ˈsʌkə /

noun

1. help or assistance, esp in time of difficulty

2. a person or thing that provides help

verb

1. (tr) to give aid to

Other Word Forms

• succourer noun
• succourable adjective
• succourless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of succour¹

C13: from Old French sucurir, from Latin succurrere to hurry to help, from sub- under + currere to run

Example Sentences

That he had led his side to a 45% share was a remarkable achievement that provided little succour.

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Tory shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell criticised the agreement, saying it gives "succour to our enemies in a dangerous world, and undermines the strategic web of Britain's defence interests".

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Earlier, this year, former Prime Minister Liz Truss said: "A Conservative government should not be seeking to extend the nanny state. It only gives succour to those who wish to curtail freedom."

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"South Africa has given succour and support to Hamas, at least," he said.

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That could give succour to market bets that the Bank of England is more likely to hike by 25 basis points than by 50 bps at Thursday's meeting.

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