[en-kur-ij, -kuhr-] 
| 1. | to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running. |
| 2. | to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students. |
| 3. | to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime. |
| en·cour·age (ěn-kûr'ĭj, -kŭr'-) tr.v. en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing, en·cour·ag·es
[Middle English encouragen, from Old French encoragier : en-, causative pref.; see en-1 + corage, courage; see courage.] en·cour'ag·er n. Synonyms: These verbs mean to impart courage, inspiration, and resolution to: encouraged the athlete to compete; played music to animate the crowd; a visitor cheering the patient; was emboldened to sing for the guests; praise that heartened us; a pep talk that inspirited the weary team. |
| en·cour·ag·ing (ěn-kûr'ə-jĭng, -kŭr'-) adj. Giving courage, confidence, or hope: an encouraging advance in medical research. en·cour'ag·ing·ly adv. |
"As a general rule, Providence seldom vouchsafes to mortals any more than just that degree of encouragement which suffices to keep them at a reasonably full exertion of their powers." [Nathaniel Hawthorne]
ɪdʒ
