Cheer, v. i. — Webster enters it under “cheer”
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.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Cheer, n.
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
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for cheering; he lists it under happy, praise.
Where he writes about it:
A cheery word spontaneously gives cheer to others; a cheering word is more distinctly planned to cheer and encourage. — from happy