diversion; distraction; pastime
Refers to something that takes one's mind off worries or boredom; a light amusement or change of pace. Often used in the phrase 気慰みに.
I went for a walk as a diversion.
He solves puzzles as a pastime.
Compound of 気 (ki, 'spirit, mood') and 慰み (nagusami, 'comfort, amusement'). The reading きなぐさみ is a rendaku form of き + なぐさみ.