[pen nī bunkhun] (v, exp) EN: be indebted to s.o. (for help/support/encouragement) ; be under an obligation ; owe a debt of gratitude (to) ; be beholden (to) ; owe a lot to s.o. ; be grateful to s.o. for sth
n. [ Cf. F. encouragement. ] 1. The act of encouraging; incitement to action or to practice; as, the encouragement of youth in generosity. [ 1913 Webster ]
All generous encouragement of arts. Otway. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. That which serves to incite, support, promote, or advance, as favor, countenance, reward, etc.; incentive; increase of confidence; as, the fine arts find little encouragement among a rude people. [ 1913 Webster ]
To think of his paternal care, Is a most sweet encouragement to prayer. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]