comfit

[ kuhm-fit, kom- ]

noun

1. a candy containing a nut or piece of fruit.

comfit

/ ˈkʌmfɪt; ˈkɒm- /

noun

1. a sugar-coated sweet containing a nut or seed

Word History and Origins

Origin of comfit¹

1300–50; Middle English confit < Middle French < Latin confectum something prepared. See confect

Word History and Origins

Origin of comfit¹

C15: from Old French, from Latin confectum something prepared, from conficere to produce; see confect

Example Sentences

Like many food items that are now soundly in the dessert realm — sprinkles' predecessor, comfits, are a good example — chocolate sauce was once lauded for its medicinal properties.

From Salon

In the 15th century, comfits — a predecessor of the modern sprinkle — were made from dried fruits, nuts, seeds or spices that were lacquered with melted sugar.

From Salon

According to National Geographic, a sugarplum is a comfit, or “a seed, nut, or scrap of spice coated with a layer of hard sugar,” which was popular from the 17th to the 19th century.

From Fox News

And he bought a round red lacquered comfit dish with a cover, and in this he put sesame cakes and larded sweets and he put the box on the table.

From Literature

Before the industrial revolution and the advent of automation, it could take a candy maker several days to complete a single batch of comfits.

From Time