n. [ Cf. F. encouragement. ] 1. The act of encouraging; incitement to action or to practice; as, the encouragement of youth in generosity. [ 1913 Webster ]
All generous encouragement of arts. Otway. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. That which serves to incite, support, promote, or advance, as favor, countenance, reward, etc.; incentive; increase of confidence; as, the fine arts find little encouragement among a rude people. [ 1913 Webster ]
To think of his paternal care, Is a most sweet encouragement to prayer. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]