Other forms: reassurances
Reassurance is words or acts that settle somebody's fear. Seek reassurance, offer reassurance, constant reassurance.
It works by addressing the worry rather than the facts, which is why it can help and also why reassurance-seeking is a recognised feature of anxiety — the relief is brief and the need returns. Clinicians are careful with it for that reason. In finance, reassurance is also a variant spelling of reinsurance, which is a different thing entirely.
1nounreassuranceWords or acts that settle somebody's fear.
“The nervous patient needed reassurance that the operation would not hurt.”
reassurance is a settling of fear.
Re- plus assurance, from Old French asseurer, to make sure, from Latin securus, safe. Secure, sure and assure come from the same safety.
Old French
asseurance
Middle English
assuraunce
English
assurance
English, today
reassurance
From re- + assurance. assurance comes from Middle English assuraunce, from Old French asseurance, from asseurer; as if assure + ance.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA