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Why do we ask if a person is "comfortable", rather than "comforted"?
This doesn't really address the question, but. Consider that the opposite of comfortable is uncomfortable. We would not say discomfortable, but we do say discomforted.
Very different things, those; the former physical, the latter emotional, as generally used.
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>We would not say discomfortable, but we do say discomforted. does everyone agree with this? I most often hear discomfited... http://www.bartleby.com/64/C003/0100.html
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>What test would there be for deciding between "ible" and "able"... It is difficult to say when we are not to use -able instead of -ible. "Yet a rule may be laid down as to when we are to use it. To all verbs, then, from the Anglo-Saxon, to all based on the uncorrupted infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever sprung, we annex -able only.'' --Fitzed. Hall. - Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. HTH. 
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Oh, tsuwm, I was afraid someone would bring that up, and it would have to be you! Here's what Atomica has, under discomfited:
USAGE NOTE It is true that discomfit originally meant “to defeat, frustrate” and that its newer use meaning “to embarrass, disconcert” probably arose in part through confusion with discomfort. But the newer sense is now the most common use of the verb in all varieties of writing and should be considered entirely standard.
No, it doesn't say which of the two is more common, but I thought the history was interesting.
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"ible" and "able"It's really quite simple, Wordwily. If ible were able to able then it wouldn't be an ible. And able never wanted to be an ible anyway...so there you are!
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old hand
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Are you uncomfortable? = Are circumstances such that you experience discomfort?
Are you unmiserable? = Are circumstances such that you experience dismisery?
"Language does not rise from the minds of men. Language is much more important that logic, and so is driven by the caprice of feminine whim." -Preston Richards 1954.
...er, why do I feel uncomfortable with this post?
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to all based on the uncorrupted infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first conjugation...we annex -able only.The Latin verb is dirigere, to direct. This is not first conjugation. http://www.bartleby.com/61/61/D0246100.html
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newbie
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From the Oxford Dictionary: Such as to obviate hardship, save trouble and promote content, ministering to comfort; at ease free from hardship, pain, and trouble; enjoying comfort, having ample money for one's needs, having an easy conscience
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Vixy--welcome back, Sweetie.
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