[f. CHEER v. + -ER1.]
1. He who or that which cheers, comforts or inspirits; a comforter.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., V. ii. 41. Her Vine, the merry chearer of the heart, Vnpruned, dyes.
a. 1639. Wotton, in Walton, Angler, I. i. 33. Angling was … a rest to his mind, a cheerer of his spirits, a diverter of sadness.
1727. Thomson, Summer, 90. Prime cheerer, Light! Of all material beings first and best!
1798. Malthus, Popul. (1817), III. 315. That I might not shut out that prime cheerer hope.
1879. Chr. Rossetti, Seek & F., 34. God the Giver, cherisher, cheerer of life.
b. Sc. A cheering cup or drink.
1808–24. in Jamieson.
1815. Scott, Guy M., xxiv. To draw on another cup of ale and another cheerer … of brandy and water.
1823. Lockhart, Reg. Dalton, II. ii. (1842), 106. If you have taken a second ‘cheerer’ with them after supper.
2. He who cheers, applauds, hurrahs.
1855–9. Singleton, Virgil, II. 16. With the clapping and hurrah of men, And zeal of cheerers.
1874. Daily News, 26 Jan., 6/1. It was a very faint cheer, for the cheerers were few.
