Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CHEER, v.t. [Fr. chère; Arm. cher, cheer, entertainment; Ir. gairim, to call, shout, extol; rejoice; Gr. χαιρω to rejoice, to hail or salute. The primary sense is to call out or shout, as in joy; a sense retained in jovial companies, to give cheers, and among seamen, to salute a ship by cheers. Orient. קרא, kara.]

1. To salute with shouts of joy, or cheers. – Mar. Dict.
2. To dispel gloom, sorrow, silence or apathy; to cause to rejoice; to gladden; to make cheerful; as, to cheer a lonely desert; the cheering rays of the sun; good news cheers the heart.
3. To infuse life, spirit, animation; to incite; to encourage; as, to cheer the hounds.