Cheer (?), n. [OE. chere face, welcome, cheer, OF. chiere, F. chere, fr. LL. cara face, Gr. head; akin to Skr. 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.
1. That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment; as, a table loaded with good cheer.
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?
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913. | 
