Cheer, n.
Etymology: [OE. chere face, welcome, cheer, OF. chiere, F. chère, fr. LL. cara face, Gr. , 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.
1 more senses
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
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
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.
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for cheer; he lists it under cherish, entertain, entertainment, happiness.
Where he writes about it:
We beguile a weary hour, cheer the despondent, divert the preoccupied, enliven a dull evening or company, gratify our friends' wishes, entertain, interest, please a listening audience, occupy idle time, disport ourselves when merry, recreate when worn with toil; we amuse ourselves or others with whatever pleasantly passes the time without special exertion, each according to his taste. — from entertain
Cheer may be very quiet, as the cheer of a bright fire to an aged traveler; merriment is with liveliness and laughter; fun and frolic are apt to be boisterous. — from entertainment