hearten
UK/'hɑ:tn/US
GREA1
Definitions
v.
To encourage someone; to give them confidence and renewed spirit
鼓舞；使振作；使有信心
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedheart + -en (a verb-making suffix meaning 'to cause to be,' as in strengthen, darken) = 'to put heart into.' Since heart can mean courage and spirit, to hearten someone is to fill them with renewed courage — to encourage.
Root heart still carries 8 more wordsUsage Guide
Often used in the -ing form 'heartening' to describe encouraging things: a heartening sign, heartening news, heartening progress. The plain verb 'hearten' itself is somewhat formal and most common in writing.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The team was heartened by the crowd's loud support.
- 2.
It is heartening to see so many young people volunteering.
- 3.
Her kind words heartened the nervous students before the exam.