Solace, n.
Etymology: [OF. solas, ssoulaz, L. solacium, solatium, fr. solari to comfort, console. Cf. Console, v. t.]
1. Comfort in grief; alleviation of grief or anxiety; also, that which relieves in distress; that which cheers or consoles; relief. In business of mirth and of solace. Chaucer. The proper solaces of age are not music and compliments, but wisdom and devotion. Rambler.
2. Rest; relaxation; ease. [Obs.] To make his steed some solace. Chaucer.
Syn. -- Comfort; consolation; alleviation; relief.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Solace, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Solaced; p. pr. & vb. n. Solacing.]
1. To cheer in grief or under calamity; to comfort; to relieve in affliction, solitude, or discomfort; to console; -- applied to persons; as, to solace one with the hope of future reward.
2. To allay; to assuage; to soothe; as, to solace grief.
Syn. -- To comfort; assuage; allay. See Comfort.
Solace, v. i.
To take comfort; to be cheered. Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists solace only as an antonym, under pain.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.