Cheer \Cheer\ (ch[=e]r), n. [OE. chere face, welcome, cheer, OF. chiere, F. ch[`e]re, fr. LL. cara face, Gr. ? head; akin to Skr. [,c]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.

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?

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Cheer \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Cheer \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)