heartenv.
/ˈhɑːtn/, U.S. /ˈhɑrtn/ 1. † b. transitive. In extended use. To strengthen, help on, further, or promote. Obsolete.
a. To put heart into; to embolden, to encourage; to rouse to fresh energy or enthusiasm; to cheer or lift the spirits of.
(a) transitive. With simple object. Now frequently in passive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > make cheerful [verb (transitive)]
to mend a person's cheera1325
raisec1384
cherishc1400
rehetec1400
blithec1440
cheer1440
lightena1450
light?1473
embellish1481
hearten1524
exhilarate1540
laetificate1547
to cheer up1550
lift1572
to do a person's heart good1575
acheera1592
upcheerc1595
cherry1596
relevate1598
encheer1605
brighten1607
buoy1652
undumpisha1661
to lift (up) a person's spirits1711
cheerfulize1781
blithen1824
pearten1827
chirk1843
to chipper up1873
to chirp up188.
to buck up1909
the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)]
hearteOE
bieldc897
hardenc1175
elnea1225
hardyc1225
boldc1275
hardishc1325
endurec1384
assurec1386
emboldc1400
recomfortc1405
enharda1450
support1479
enhardy1483
animatec1487
encourage1490
emboldishc1503
hearten1524
bolden1526
spright1531
raise1533
accourage1534
enheart1545
to hearten on1555
hearten?1556
alacriate1560
bespirit1574
bebrave1576
to put in heart1579
to hearten up1580
embolden1583
bravea1593
enhearten1610
inspiritc1610
rehearten1611
blood1622
mana1625
valiant1628
flush1633
firm1639
buoy1645
embrave1648
reinhearten1652
reanimate1655
reinspirit1660
to give mettle to1689
warm1697
to lift (up) a person's spirits1711
reman1715
to make a man of1722
respirit1725
elate1726
to cocker up1762
enharden1779
nerve1799
boost1815
brace1816
high-mettle1831
braven1865
brazen1884
1524 R. Copland tr. J. de Bourbon Syege Cyte of Rodes in Begynnynge Ordre Knyghtes Hospytallers sig. D.ii But he dyde it for to herten and strength the courage of his people, beynge so well wyllynge to defende and dye for the faythe.
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique iii. f. 115v But nowe because I haue halfe weried the reader with a tedious matter, I will harten him agayne wyth a merye tale.
1620 R. Crakanthorpe Serm. Predestination 2 To betray the truth of God, and to harten and incourage most wicked men.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine ii. i. 61 Where God..heartened his own people..by drying up the waters of Jordan.
1738 S. Whatley tr. K. L. von Pöllnitz Mem. III. 272 I really pitied her, and did all I could to hearten her.
1777 E. Burke Let. to Sheriffs Bristol 26 One of a noisy multitude to hollow and hearten them into doubtful and dangerous courses.
1855 R. Browning Grammarian's Funeral 76 Hearten our chorus!
1879 ‘M. Twain’ in Atlantic Monthly Feb. 181/2 He had lost a good deal of his spirit. I tried my best to hearten him.
1922 Automotive Industries 2 Mar. 533/2 All exporters have been heartened by the recent rise in exchange.
1976 Rotarian Feb. 21/1 It heartens me greatly to see that there are others working for the same goals.
1990 Independent 15 Sept. (Mag.) 7/3 I was heartened to see that Charter 88's other 20,000 signatories also came in for a good lashing of the Tebbit tongue.
2009 V. Flynn Pursuit of Honor (2010) ii. 11 These attacks were proof that their methods had served only to hearten the enemy.
(b) transitive (reflexive).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > cheer [verb (reflexive)]
recomfortc1405
hearten?1556
?1556 N. Smyth tr. Herodian Hist. iii. f. xxxiiiv The Seuerian Souldyours reioysed, and hartened them selues, as thoughe thymmortall Goddes guyded them.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (vii.) i. f. 18 Thentent he may harten himselfe vntoo boldnesse.
a1622 J. Randall St. Pauls Triumph (1623) viii. 148 To hearten our selues against the feare & euill of them.
1680 T. Gouge God's Call to Eng. 29 With this did the wicked Jews under Divine comminations hearten themselves in their ways.
1709 G. Stanhope Paraphr. IV. 503 Let us hearten our selves with their Assistance against Temptations.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 187 Heartning my self therefore with the Belief that this was nothing but the Print of one of my own Feeet [sic].
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. xi. 304 I can't tell you how long a time you will require to hearten yourself for the next consultation.
1898 E. Thomas in Speaker 27 Aug. 257/2 Now therefore do they hearten themselves with a timorous babbling of infantine sweetness as they perch..upon the chestnut tree's branch.
1915 Munsey's Mag. Mar. 275/2 In his moments of discouragement he heartened himself by thinking he was fighting his battle for her.
1996 Earth Matters Summer 12/3 Let us hearten ourselves with some better news.
(c) transitive. With infinitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)]
hearteOE
bieldc897
hardenc1175
elnea1225
hardyc1225
boldc1275
hardishc1325
endurec1384
assurec1386
emboldc1400
recomfortc1405
enharda1450
support1479
enhardy1483
animatec1487
encourage1490
emboldishc1503
hearten1524
bolden1526
spright1531
raise1533
accourage1534
enheart1545
to hearten on1555
hearten?1556
alacriate1560
bespirit1574
bebrave1576
to put in heart1579
to hearten up1580
embolden1583
bravea1593
enhearten1610
inspiritc1610
rehearten1611
blood1622
mana1625
valiant1628
flush1633
firm1639
buoy1645
embrave1648
reinhearten1652
reanimate1655
reinspirit1660
to give mettle to1689
warm1697
to lift (up) a person's spirits1711
reman1715
to make a man of1722
respirit1725
elate1726
to cocker up1762
enharden1779
nerve1799
boost1815
brace1816
high-mettle1831
braven1865
brazen1884
?1556 N. Smyth tr. Herodian Hist. viii. f. civ Crispinus was hartened to abide the fortune of ye battayle.
a1568 R. Ascham Rep. & Disc. Affaires Germany (?1570) f. 25v An other mischief chaunceth commonly to these high climers: that they will heare no man so gladly as such which are euer hartenyng them to clime still.
1602 T. North tr. S. Goulart Lives Epaminondas, Philip of Macedon 34 This did hearten him..to follow his purpose to subdue his countrey.
1683 Apol. Protestants France iii. 9 [They] heartened him by their advice to pursue his Hellish Design of stabbing the King.
1722 J. Blair Our Saviour's Divine Serm. on Mount I. iii. 13 This Duty of Patient Suffering for Righteousness sake, which comes in to animate and hearten them to undergo the Difficulties of it.
1767 T. Bridges Homer Travestie (ed. 2) I. ii. 71 And kept the noise upon our right, To hearten us to go and fight.
1847 T. J. Serle Players III. v. 86 He thought how sweetly such a reason might hearten him to look all life's chances bravely in the face.
1881 E. R. Chapman Master of All I. 77 The slant rays..heartened the robins to chirp their merriest.
1916 H. A. Auer Camp Fires in Yukon vi. 85 One shot from the rifle brought an answering shot from afar, which heartened us to continue our discouraging course.
1954 J. Davidman Smoke on Mountain ii. 36 A pep talk to hearten us to go out and fight for good old materialism.
2009 W. K. Rawlins Compass of Friendship vii. 193 The ethical practices of friendship..may hearten us to reach out more toward others.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > furtherance > further [verb (transitive)]
furtherc888
to bring onc1230
advancea1250
speeda1300
nourishc1300
avaunt1393
promotec1433
pasture?a1439
advantage?1459
promove1475
preferc1503
conduce1518
to set forth1528
to set forward(s)1530
to take forth1530
fillip1551
help1559
farther1570
foster1571
shoulder1577
to put forward1579
seconda1586
foment1596
hearten1598
to put on1604
fomentate1613
succeed1613
expeditea1618
producea1618
maturate1623
cultivate1641
encourage1677
push1693
forward1780
progress1780
admove1839
1598 G. Chapman tr. Homer Achilles Shield 4 The Peeres of Greece haue sude..To winne his hand to harten their affayres.
1615 T. Adams Spirituall Nauigator 4 in Blacke Devill Somwhat to hearten the probability of this opinion.
1650 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions (ed. 2) Addit. i. 384 His offensive marriage with his Neece is hartned by a sophisticall pleader.
a1686 T. Watson Body Pract. Divinity (1692) 445 Moses Prayer against Amalek did more than Joshuas sword, and may not this hearten and corroborate Faith in Prayer.
1734 R. Erskine Gospel Sonnets (ed. 4) vi. iv. 254 Faith ushers in sweet Peace and Joy, Which further heartens Faith's Employ.
2.
a. transitive. To strengthen (a person or animal) with food, drink, or some other substance. Also reflexive. Now archaic and literary.Sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > feed or nourish [verb (transitive)] > refresh with food
fremeOE
refection?c1450
refect1488
hearten1586
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > make strong [verb (transitive)] > with food
hearten1586
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. N8 Good ale whiche inwardly must harten him.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xix. 116 Peacocks are very sicke when they moute, and then they must be hartened with honie, wheate, oates and horse-beanes.
1693 T. P. Blount Nat. Hist. 118 Messengers..take of it [sc. opium] to hearten themselves.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. viii. 220 Of great service both in lengthning out our store of provision, and in heartning the whole crew with..palatable food.
1792 W. Osbaldiston Brit. Sportsman 74/2 A composition given to hearten and strengthen them [sc. horses].
1840 J. Frere Fasting 27 One day's provision of a wealthy table carried to a poor man's home..would invigorate and hearten him.
1899 H. Benning At Opening Doors xi. 184 The tea will hearten you, dear, and it's ready now.
1920 E. A. Jonas Number Thirty iv. 76 Chivvy should be heartened with a prodigious breakfast the morning after.
1973 D. Robertson Survive Savage Sea ii.161 Breakfast of dried turtle, dried fish and plenty of drinking water heartened us.
2009 D. Gabaldon Echo in Bone xxxi. 334 The tea heartened me, sufficiently to send Abram..to take some to Jamie and Captain Stebbings.
b. transitive. To fertilize (land); to make (soil) more fertile or productive. Cf. heart v. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > preparation of land or soil > fertilizing or manuring > fertilize or manure [verb (transitive)]
gooda1525
marl1528
plentify1555
fat1562
fatten1563
season1563
heart1573
manure1577
soil1593
hearten1594
remanure1598
enrich1601
teasel1610
battle1611
batten1612
bedung1649
sweeten1733
top-dress1733
top1856
side-dress1888
1594 H. Plat Diuerse Sorts of Soyle 49 in Jewell House These [sc. the duste and tailes of the malt] being returned vppon the grounds..do helpe in some measure to harten them again.
1628 T. May tr. Virgil Georgicks i. 5 Best it is to keep The ground one yeare at rest, forget not than With richest dung to hearten it againe.
1655 in S. Hartlib Legacy (ed. 3) 224 The dust of them [sc. furzes], doth marvellously hearten the earth in which they grow if laid upon the ground onely round about them.
1763 London Mag. Nov. 585/1 When they were felled, I..made my people carry all the upper bed of earth, where they stood, on to the land, in order to hearten it.
1802 Commerc. & Agric. Mag. July 21 The carrying upon the land much valuable manure, to hearten it.
1894 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 15 June 671/1 The waste otherwise goes back in various ways to hearten again the soil from which it has been taken.
1913 Southern Planter Oct. 1012/1 Even if they are plowed under they will wonderfully hearten the soil.
1945 Rotarian May 33/3 Applications of ammonium sulphate..to stimulate the grass, and fertilizers to hearten it.
2005 J. Mossendew Crown of Year 88 An increasing number of gardeners are using green manure to..hearten the soil of tired gardens.
c. transitive. To strengthen (a drink) with alcohol or another liquid. Later also: to make (a dish) more nourishing, filling, or tasty by adding extra ingredients.
ΚΠ
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World x. 293 Makes most delicate Punch; but it must have a dash of Brandy to hearten it, because this Arack is not strong enough.
1876 C. C. Robinson Gloss. Words Dial. Mid-Yorks. (at cited word) Tea is heartened with something stronger.
1907 New Eng. Mag. May 304/1 He sat in his corner..munching bread one remove from sawdust, which he heartened with butter.
1964 G. C. Booth Food & Drink Mexico 15 In cooler weather I like to hearten the soup with a cup of dry macaroni.
2005 N. S. Nye You & Yours 81 Added a mint leaf now and then to hearten the broth.
3. intransitive. To take fresh heart or courage. rare before 19th cent.
ΚΠ
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 600/2 Shee would..set him in state of the crowne of France, and driue the English out of the countrie, thereby he to inioie the kingdome alone. Heerevpon he hartened at full.
1868 E. Bulwer-Lytton New Poems I. 230 And so they heartened to the work.
1896 F. H. Costello Master Ardick, Buccaneer viii. 89 We heartened a bit and contrived to get another snatch at the hard-tack and brandy.
1903 A. Arkell-Hardwick Ivory Trader N. Kenia vii. 123 The natives..wished to sell us a tusk of ivory. We heartened considerably at that.
1999 R. S. Wheeler Sun Mountain liii. 247 I heartened as I pondered my adequacy... If anyone could sift through these requests, a veteran reporter could.
Phrasal verbs
With adverbs in specialized senses. to hearten on
Now rare.
to hearten up transitive. To cheer or urge on.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)]
hearteOE
bieldc897
hardenc1175
elnea1225
hardyc1225
boldc1275
hardishc1325
endurec1384
assurec1386
emboldc1400
recomfortc1405
enharda1450
support1479
enhardy1483
animatec1487
encourage1490
emboldishc1503
hearten1524
bolden1526
spright1531
raise1533
accourage1534
enheart1545
to hearten on1555
hearten?1556
alacriate1560
bespirit1574
bebrave1576
to put in heart1579
to hearten up1580
embolden1583
bravea1593
enhearten1610
inspiritc1610
rehearten1611
blood1622
mana1625
valiant1628
flush1633
firm1639
buoy1645
embrave1648
reinhearten1652
reanimate1655
reinspirit1660
to give mettle to1689
warm1697
to lift (up) a person's spirits1711
reman1715
to make a man of1722
respirit1725
elate1726
to cocker up1762
enharden1779
nerve1799
boost1815
brace1816
high-mettle1831
braven1865
brazen1884
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. x. 221 The princes and capitaines..crye vnto their men, and harten them on.
a1690 J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) II. 358 The Train-Band..kill'd a Ballad-Singer with one Arm, that was heartning on the Women.
1710 B. Jenks tr. R. F. R. Bellarmino Ouranography v. vii. 244 There's Nothing so Animates and Heartens us on, as Looking unto Jesus.
1813 D. W. Paynter Godfrey Ranger I. vi. 141 Marsh and Prow heartened me on with ‘Well done Godfrey!’
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 259 Heartening on his men, till he dropped exhausted from his saddle.
1936 A. Sperry Wagons Westward ix. 119 He rode back along the column to hearten us on.
1. transitive. To augment the energy, confidence, or enthusiasm of; to encourage, lift the spirits of. Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)]
hearteOE
bieldc897
hardenc1175
elnea1225
hardyc1225
boldc1275
hardishc1325
endurec1384
assurec1386
emboldc1400
recomfortc1405
enharda1450
support1479
enhardy1483
animatec1487
encourage1490
emboldishc1503
hearten1524
bolden1526
spright1531
raise1533
accourage1534
enheart1545
to hearten on1555
hearten?1556
alacriate1560
bespirit1574
bebrave1576
to put in heart1579
to hearten up1580
embolden1583
bravea1593
enhearten1610
inspiritc1610
rehearten1611
blood1622
mana1625
valiant1628
flush1633
firm1639
buoy1645
embrave1648
reinhearten1652
reanimate1655
reinspirit1660
to give mettle to1689
warm1697
to lift (up) a person's spirits1711
reman1715
to make a man of1722
respirit1725
elate1726
to cocker up1762
enharden1779
nerve1799
boost1815
brace1816
high-mettle1831
braven1865
brazen1884
the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or strengthen oneself [verb (reflexive)]
assure1370
to hearten up1694
1580 J. Stow Chrons. of Eng. 47 The Romaynes..vsed al meanes possible, to hearten vppe and arme their Youth.
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. G Harten vp your men.
1674 R. Godfrey Var. Injuries in Physick 76 The Doctor heartned him up, and admonisht him not to let in fears.
1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais Pantagruel's Voy.: 4th Bk. Wks. iv. xxiv. 101 This Fryar Jack, who is fain to drink to hearten himself up.
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 196 They boasted of the Victory to hearten up their Friends.
1750 P. Shaw Reflector 233 Gentlemen of the Robe are no more to be censured..than a good General is to be condemned for heartening up his Soldiers.
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice III. vi. 111 Their other aunt also visited them frequently.., with the design of cheering and heartening them up . View more context for this quotation
1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd II. xiv. 176 Do hearten yourself up a little, ma'am.
1921 H. A. Vachell Blinkers iv. 93 Even now, although my [wine] cellar is nearly empty, I can hearten myself up by reading my cellar book.
1994 E. Mordden How long has this been going On? (1995) 32 Peterson..puts an arm around Frank and gives him a squeeze. You know, just to hearten him up.
2. intransitive. To rouse oneself from despondency or melancholy; to take fresh heart or courage; to cheer up. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > be cheerful [verb (intransitive)] > become cheerful or cheer up
cheer?1553
to look up1600
come1607
to cheer up1620
exhilarate1620
brighten1692
to come to1765
to come about1775
spurk1823
to hearten up1834
to buck up1844
chirk1844
pearten1851
to come around1853
to liven up1863
to chipper up1867
lighten1873
pep1910
to lighten up1911
1834 M. Hare Let. 1 July in A. J. C. Hare Memorials Quiet Life (1872) II. xiii. 68 When they heard he was a little better, they heartened up a little.
1883 Sunday Mag. Dec. 751/2 I heartened up a good bit.
1891 J. C. Atkinson Last of Giant-killers 136 ‘Hearten up, my sweet,’ he said.
1906 Trans. Coll. Physicians Philadelphia 28 115 The bullets whizzing past me were..rather dismaying, but, finding that I still lived, I heartened up gradually.
1917 B. K. Maniates Our Next-door Neighbors x. 142 Seeming to consider that my discovery had been succeeded by inaction, which must mean non-interference, he heartened up.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
v.1524