confect

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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

Verb

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

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

confection
confectionary
confectionery
confectioner