Succour

Succour (British English) or succor (American English) refers to assistance, aid, or relief provided to someone in distress or danger. As a noun, it denotes the act of giving help or the relief itself; as a verb, to succour means to provide such aid or relief. The term is often used in formal, historical, or humanitarian contexts and may appear in phrases describing rescue, medical support, or shelter offered to those in need.

Etymology and history: Succour derives from Old French secours, meaning aid or help, which in turn comes from Latin subsidium, meaning assistance or support. Over time, the word entered Middle English and established itself in various forms, with “succour” retaining a more traditional or literary tone in contemporary usage.

Usage and context: In modern English, succour is relatively formal and less common in everyday speech, where terms like aid, assistance, relief, or help are more typical. It appears in historical or ceremonial writing and in certain charitable or legal phrases. In humanitarian discourse, succour can emphasize immediate relief to victims of disasters, conflict, or deprivation, although generic terms are often preferred for clarity and inclusivity.

See also: aid, assistance, relief, support, succor (American variant). The concept is closely tied to humanitarian action, rescue operations, and welfare provisions offered to people in need.