encourage

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Encouraged p. pr. & vb. n. Encouraging ] [ F. encourager; pref. en- (L. in) + courage courage. See Courage. ] To give courage to; to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to raise, or to increase, the confidence of; to animate; enhearten; to incite; to help forward; -- the opposite of discourage. [ 1913 Webster ]

David encouraged himself in the Lord. 1 Sam. xxx. 6.

Syn. -- To embolden; inspirit; animate; enhearten; hearten; incite; cheer; urge; impel; stimulate; instigate; countenance; comfort; promote; advance; forward; strengthen. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. made to feel more courage, hope, or optimism.
Syn. -- bucked up(predicate). [ WordNet 1.5 ]

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 ]