Definition
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
Origins
Popularized by William Shakespeare in The Taming of the Shrew, see quotations.
In Context
- "[…] or ſhall I complaine on thee to our miſtris, whoſe hand / (ſhe being now at hand) thou ſhalt ſoone feele, to thy / cold comfort, for being ſlow in thy hot office."
- "The table was smoking and hissing; and Romeo Clawbonny, who acted as the everyday house-servant, or footman, had several times intimated that it might be well to commence operations, as a cold breakfast was very cold comfort."
- "At least I should not die alone. Human eyes would watch me end. It was cold comfort I presume, but yet I derived some slight peace of mind from the contemplation of it."
- "But statistics are cold comfort when the latest explosion has leveled a nearby building."