confect

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin cōnfectus, past participle of cōnficere, from com- (“together”) + facere (“to make”). As a noun, Doublet of comfit. See also confection.

Pronunciation[edit]

IPA^(key): /kənˈfɛkt/
- Audio (UK) (file)

Verb[edit]

confect (third-person singular simple present confects, present participle confecting, simple past and past participle confected)

(transitive) To make up, prepare, or compound; to produce by combining ingredients or materials; to concoct.
The woman confected a home remedy for the traveler's illness.

The young bride's friends confected a dress from odds and ends of fabric.
- 1604, William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling, Aurora
  [My joys] are still confected with some feares.
- 1629, Sir Thomas Herbert, Travels in Persia
  Of this were confected the famous everlasting lamps and tapers.
(transitive, obsolete) To make into a confection; to prepare as a candy, sweetmeat, preserve, or the like.
- 1613, William Browne, Brittania's Pastorals, book 1, song 2
  Saffron confected in Cilicia

Noun[edit]

confect (plural confects)

(obsolete) A rich, sweet, food item made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts; a confection, comfit.
- 1652, Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physitian
  Caraway confects, once only dipped in sugar, and a spoonful of them eaten in the morning fasting, and as many after each meal, is a most admirable remedy for those that are troubled with wind.
- 1889, Arthur Conan Doyle, Micah Clarke, Chapter 1
  She made salves and eyewaters, powders and confects, cordials and persico, orangeflower water and cherry brandy, each in its due season, and all of the best.

Related terms[edit]