succor
UK: ˈsʌkə | US: ˈsʌkər
n. assistance or support in times of hardship or distress
vt. to give aid or relief to someone in need
The word "succor" originates from Latin "succurrere," meaning "to run to the aid of." It combines "sub-" (under/near) and "currere" (to run), metaphorically depicting rushing to someone's side for support. Over time, it evolved into Old French "sucur" and Middle English "socour," retaining the core idea of timely assistance. The spelling stabilized as "succor" in Modern English, preserving its Latin roots while simplifying pronunciation.
The villagers offered succor to the survivors of the flood.
During the war, many relied on charitable organizations for succor.
He hurried to succor his friend after the accident.
The Red Cross provides succor in global crises.
Her kind words brought emotional succor in his grief.