The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Consolation \Con`so*la"tion\, n. [L. consolatio: cf. F.
   consolation.]
   The act of consoling; the state of being consoled; allevation
   of misery or distress of mind; refreshment of spirit;
   comfort; that which consoles or comforts the spirit.
   [1913 Webster]

         Against such cruelties
         With inward consolations recompensed.    --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

         Are the consolations of God small with thee? --Job xv.
                                                  11.

   Syn: Comfort; solace; allevation. See Comfort.
        [1913 Webster] pot
        match
        Consolation game

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

consolation
    n 1: the comfort you feel when consoled in times of
         disappointment; "second place was no consolation to him"
         [syn: consolation, solace, solacement]
    2: the act of consoling; giving relief in affliction; "his
       presence was a consolation to her" [syn: consolation,
       comfort, solace]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

18 Moby Thesaurus words for "consolation":
   aid and comfort, assurance, balm, comfort, commiseration,
   condolement, condolence, easement, encouragement, reassurance,
   relief, sharing of grief, shred of comfort, solace, solacement,
   soothing words, support, sympathy



The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

CONSOLATION, n.  The knowledge that a better man is more unfortunate
than yourself.