succor

/ˈsʌkər/

Other forms: succors; succored; succoring

Succor is relief or help. If you've just woken up in the midst of a lion's den, wearing nothing but raw meat pajamas — sounds like you could use some succor!

In archaic times, succor meant a reinforcement of troops during a hard battle. These days though, those reinforcements are a bit more figurative. Succor is a helping hand in a time of need, relief when the going gets tough. Succor can also be used as a verb, as in, "After Bob fell overboard, he was saved — succored by a life preserver."

Definitions of succor

1. noun

   assistance in time of difficulty
   synonyms: ministration, relief, succour

   types:

   comfort, consolation, solace

   the act of consoling; giving relief in affliction

   mercy

   alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed

   type of:

   aid, assist, assistance, help

   the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
2. verb

   help in a difficult situation
   synonyms: succour

   type of:

   aid, assist, help

   give help or assistance; be of service