solatium
Definition
- Noun (countable; plural: ):
- Compensation for injured feelings: "solatium" refers to a sum of money or a thing given as compensation for emotional distress, grief, or loss of companionship, rather than for material or physical harm.
- A consolation: It can also denote any token or gesture meant to soothe hurt feelings or provide comfort after an offense or injury.
Usage Examples
- (Financial compensation for grief.)
- (A token meant to console.)
- (Compensation for injured reputation.)
Advanced Usage
"solatium payment": a specific financial award in legal contexts for non-pecuniary losses.
- The airline provided a solatium payment to passengers for the flight delay. (A monetary gesture for inconvenience.)
"solatium in lieu of damages": used when compensation is for emotional rather than actual financial loss.
- The judge ordered a solatium in lieu of damages because no material loss occurred. (Compensation for feelings only.)
Variants and Related Words
Solatia (plural noun): multiple instances of such compensation.
- The victims received solatia for their psychological trauma. (Multiple compensation awards.)
Consolatory (adj): intended to comfort or console.
- The consolatory letter from the company was a small solatium. (Related to offering comfort.)
Synonyms
- Compensation: something given to make up for loss or injury.
- Damages: (legal) money awarded for harm, often including emotional distress.
- Consolation: comfort received after a disappointment or loss.
- Redress: remedy or compensation for a wrong.
Phrasal Verbs
Related Idioms
"A sop to Cerberus": a small concession or bribe to appease someone.
- The company's gift was merely a sop to Cerberus, not a true solatium. (An inadequate consolation.)
"Cold comfort": very poor consolation.
- The apology was cold comfort, but it served as a solatium. (Weak consolation.)