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cheer (chîr)
Share:
n.
1.
a. A shout of approval, encouragement, or congratulation: a remark that drew cheers from the crowd.
b. A short, rehearsed jingle or phrase, shouted in unison by a squad of cheerleaders.
2. Comfort or encouragement: a message of cheer.
3. Lightness of spirits or mood; gaiety or joy: a happy tune, full of cheer.
4. Festive food and drink; refreshment: did not refrain from sampling their holiday cheer.
v. cheered, cheer·ing, cheers
v.intr.
1.
a. To shout cheers. See Synonyms at applaud.
b. To express praise or approval: Bloggers cheered when the favorable decision was announced.
2. To become cheerful: had lunch and soon cheered up.
v.tr.
1.
a. To encourage with cheers: The fans cheered the runners on. See Synonyms at encourage.
b. To salute or acclaim with cheers; applaud.
c. To express praise or approval for; acclaim: cheered the results of the election.
2. To make happier or more cheerful: a warm fire that cheered us.

[Middle English chere, expression, mood, from Old French chiere, face, from Late Latin cara, from Greek kara, head; see ker-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

cheerer n.
cheering·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.