Cheer (?), n. [OE. chere face, welcome, cheer, OF. chiere, F. chere, fr. LL. cara face, Gr. head; akin to Skr. iras, L. cerebrum brain, G. hirn, and E. cranium.]

1.

The face; the countenance or its expression.

[Obs.] "Sweat of thy cheer."

Wyclif.

2.

Feeling; spirit; state of mind or heart.

Be of good cheer. Matt. ix. 2.

The parents . . . fled away with heavy cheer. Holland.

3.

Gayety; mirth; cheerfulness; animation.

I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. Shak.

1.

That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment; as, a table loaded with good cheer.

5.

A shout, hurrah, or acclamation, expressing joy enthusiasm, applause, favor, etc.

Welcome her, thundering cheer of the street. Tennyson.

Whzt cheer? Now do you fare? What is there that is cheering?

 

© Webster 1913.


Cheer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cheered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. cheering.]

1.

To cause to rejoice; to gladden; to make cheerful; -- often with up.

Cowpe.

2.

To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort.

The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered. Dryden.

3.

To salute or applaud with cheers; to urge on by cheers; as, to cheer hounds in a chase.

To cheer ship, to salute a passing ship by cheers of sailors stationed in the rigging.

Syn. -- To gladden; encourage; inspirit; comfort; console; enliven; refresh; exhilarate; animate; applaud.

 

© Webster 1913.


Cheer, v. i.

1.

To grow cheerful; to become gladsome or joyous; -- usually with up.

At sight of thee my gloomy soul cheers up. A. Philips.

2.

To be in any state or temper of mind.

[Obs.]

How cheer'st thou, Jessica? Shak.

3.

To utter a shout or shouts of applause, triumph, etc.

And even the ranks of Tusculum Could scare forbear to cheer. Macaulay.

 

© Webster 1913.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.