cheer

n. [ OE. chere face, welcome, cheer, OF. chiere, F. chère, fr. LL. cara face, Gr. ka`ra head; akin to Skr. çiras, L. cerebrum brain, G. hirn, and E. cranium. ] 1. The face; the countenance or its expression. [ Obs. ] “Sweat of thy cheer.” Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Feeling; spirit; state of mind or heart. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be of good cheer. Matt. ix. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

The parents . . . fled away with heavy cheer. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Gayety; mirth; cheerfulness; animation. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have not that alacrity of spirit,
Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment; as, a table loaded with good cheer. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A shout, hurrah, or acclamation, expressing joy enthusiasm, applause, favor, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Welcome her, thundering cheer of the street. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

What cheer? How do you fare? What is there that is cheering? [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort. [ 1913 Webster ]

The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To salute or applaud with cheers; to urge on by cheers; as, to cheer hounds in a chase. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who cheers; one who, or that which, gladdens. “Thou cheerer of our days.” Wotton. “Prime cheerer, light.” Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having or showing good spirits or joy; cheering; cheery; contented; happy; joyful; lively; animated; willing. [ 1913 Webster ]

To entertain a cheerful disposition. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cheerful birds of sundry kind
Do chant sweet music. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

This general applause and cheerful shout. Shak.

Syn. -- Lively; animated; gay; joyful; lightsome; gleeful; blithe; airy; sprightly; jocund; jolly; joyous; vivacious; buoyant; sunny; happy; hopeful. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a cheerful manner, gladly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Good spirits; a state of moderate joy or gayety; alacrity. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a cheery manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being cheery. [ 1913 Webster ]