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hearten

[hahr-tn]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to give courage or confidence to; cheer.
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Origin of hearten

First recorded in 1520–30; heart + -en1
Related formsheart·en·er, nounheart·en·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hearten

Historical Examples

  • Polly did, and added, 'I will recite poetry to them to hearten them to their task.'

    The Magic City

    Edith Nesbit

  • But in the mysterious way of rumor, the news spread to hearten the islanders.

  • John Ball goeth about to hearten men to rise against oppression.

    Long Will

    Florence Converse

  • Then it was that Isaac's nonsense really served to hearten us.

  • And he encouraged Jack to visit him and, when the latter did so, used every effort to hearten him.

    Weatherby's Inning

    Ralph Henry Barbour

British Dictionary definitions for hearten

hearten

verb
  1. to make or become cheerful
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hearten

v.

c.1200, "to encourage," from heart + -en (1). A verb formed from figurative sense of heart. Related: Heartened; heartening.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper