succor
succor
Pronunciation
/ˈsʌkər/
sʌk:
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative (as in "sun")
/ʌ/ - near-open central unrounded vowel (as in "strut")
/k/ - voiceless velar stop (as in "cat")
ər:
/ə/ - mid-central vowel (as in "about")
/r/ - alveolar approximant (as in "red")
Word Form Variations
Succor (noun): This is the base form, meaning aid, help, or relief. As mentioned, it's generally uncountable.
Succored (verb, past tense/past participle): This is the verb form, meaning to give aid or help to. For example, "The injured were succored by the rescuers."
Succoring (verb, present participle/gerund): This is the present participle form of the verb, used in continuous tenses or as a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun). For example, "They are succoring the refugees" or "Succoring the needy is a noble act."
Succorer (noun): This is a less common noun form referring to a person who provides succor. It's synonymous with helper or aid. While not frequently used, it is a valid word.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun (Succor)
Definition: Aid, help, or relief afforded to someone in distress or need. It often implies timely assistance.
Synonyms: Aid, assistance, help, relief, support, comfort, rescue, ministration, sustenance.
Antonyms: Hindrance, obstruction, impediment, harm, injury, neglect, abandonment, distress, hardship.
Verb (Succor)
Definition: To provide aid, help, or relief to someone in distress or need. To actively assist and support.
Synonyms: Aid, assist, help, relieve, support, comfort, rescue, minister to, sustain, bolster.
Antonyms: Hinder, obstruct, impede, harm, injure, neglect, abandon, distress, burden, afflict.
Noun (Succorer - Less Common)
Definition: A person who provides aid, help, or relief to those in need; a helper or supporter.
Synonyms: Helper, aid, supporter, benefactor, rescuer, champion, comforter, minister, provider.
Antonyms: Opponent, adversary, hinderer, obstructor, tormentor, afflicter, neglector.
Examples of Use
Literature:
"He found himself in a strange land, far from home, with no one to offer him succor." (This is a hypothetical example in the style of classic literature, as the word is more common in that style). While I can't cite a specific book, this type of usage is prevalent in older literature.
News/Online Publications:
"The international community has pledged to provide succor to the earthquake-stricken region." (Hypothetical example, but reflects typical news reporting). News articles frequently use "succor" when discussing disaster relief or humanitarian aid.
Entertainment (Film/TV):
While the word itself might not be used frequently in dialogue, the concept of succor is a common theme in storytelling. A film might depict characters offering succor to those in need, even if they don't explicitly use the word. For example, a movie about a rescue mission could be said to be about "providing succor."
General Public Discourse:
"It is our moral obligation to offer succor to those less fortunate." (Hypothetical example, reflecting common usage in discussions about charity or social responsibility). You might hear this in a speech, sermon, or everyday conversation about helping others.
Legal/Official Documents:
"The organization's mission is to provide succor and support to victims of domestic violence." (Hypothetical example, but reflects the formal tone in which the word might be used in official contexts). The word can lend a formal and serious tone to such documents.
10 Famous Quotes Using Succor
“Blessed are those who offer succor to the weary.” (Unknown)
“My mentor said true leadership provides succor, not just instruction.” (Unknown)
“History honors those who brought succor in times of despair.” (Unknown)
“A poet wrote that love is the quiet succor that restores the soul.” (Unknown)
“Revolutions grow when neighbors give one another succor in hardship.” (Unknown)
“Faith calls us to give succor without expecting reward.” (Unknown)
“Even a kind word can be succor for someone fighting unseen battles.” (Unknown)
“A leader must discern when strategy is needed and when succor is required.” (Unknown)
“Hope is the succor we give ourselves when the world feels heavy.” (Unknown)
“Humanity is measured by how freely we offer succor to the vulnerable.” (Unknown)
Etymology
"Succor" comes from the Latin word succurrere. Think of it like this:
Suc- is related to "sub," meaning "under" or "below."
-currere means "to run."
So, succurrere literally means "to run under" or "to run to (someone's aid)." Imagine someone falling, and you running under them to catch them or offer support. That's the core image.
This Latin word made its way into English, initially appearing as "socour" or "soccour" in Middle English. The first recorded uses were around the 13th century. Even then, it carried the same basic meaning it has today: to give help or relief to someone in need.
Essentially, the word's journey has been pretty straightforward. It traveled from Latin to Middle English and finally to modern English, keeping its core meaning of providing assistance to those in distress. The image of "running to" someone's aid is still at the heart of the word's meaning.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Succor
It's difficult to find established idioms using "succor" directly. However, we can explore some related areas:
1. Phrases expressing the concept of succor (using synonyms):
Lend a helping hand: This expresses the act of providing assistance, which is at the heart of "succor."
Give someone a lift: Similar to lending a hand, this implies providing support.
Be a shoulder to cry on: This phrase emphasizes emotional succor, offering comfort and support in times of distress.
Come to someone's aid: This directly addresses the act of helping someone in need.
Offer support: A general phrase encompassing various forms of succor.
2. Original phrases using "succor":
Since established idioms are scarce, we can create some phrases that capture the essence of "succor":
Seek succor: This phrase suggests actively looking for help or relief. "The refugees sought succor from international organizations."
Bring succor: This describes the act of providing aid. "The aid workers brought succor to the disaster-stricken area."
Succor in times of need: This phrase emphasizes the importance of help during difficult times.
A source of succor: This refers to someone or something that provides help. "She was a source of succor for her grieving family."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of succor from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
