succor

[Bailey]

suc·cor(skr)
n.
1. Assistance in time of distress; relief.
2. One that affords assistance or relief.
tr.v. suc·cored, suc·cor·ing, suc·cors
To give assistance to in time of want, difficulty, or distress. See Synonyms at help.



[Middle English sucur, back-formation from sucurs (taken as pl.), from Old French secors, from Medieval Latin succursus, from past participle of Latin succurrere, to run to the aid of : sub-, sub- + currere, to run; see kers- in Indo-European roots.]

mark I-have-a-weird-brain-I-use-these-words-and-think-hey-good-word-suggestion! Bailey

[Slava]

I must admit I get a kind of kick out of some of Bailey's old posts. He copied definitions from a site and for some reason the vowels in the pronunciations are deleted. It can be fun to try to say the word without them.

As to this one, it's a great word and a great concept. Too bad most of modern succoring is in word only, not in deed. Then, too, we have the problem of the victims not accepting being succored, as they feel they'll be turned into suckers in the end.

It does make for a good and fertile play on words theme.