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Hearten Meaning: Definition and Examples

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hearten

[ˈhɑːrtən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

emotional support

To hearten someone means to encourage or uplift them, providing a sense of hope or strength in challenging situations. It is often used in the context of giving someone reassurance or motivation.

Synonyms

cheer, encourage, inspire, uplift.

Examples of usage

  • Her words really heartened me during tough times.
  • The coach's speech was meant to hearten the team before the big game.
  • The community came together to hearten those affected by the disaster.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Positive reinforcement, a psychological concept, is similar to heartening someone by encouraging good behavior.
  • Feeling uplifted can positively impact mental health, promoting resilience during tough times.

Literature

  • Many famous authors have used 'hearten' in their works to convey themes of hope and encouragement.
  • In poetry, heartening language often evokes imagery of light breaking through darkness, symbolizing hope.

Pop Culture

  • Songs often hearten listeners by delivering messages of love and perseverance, like 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey.
  • Movies that show characters overcoming obstacles often leave audiences feeling heartened and inspired.

History

  • Historical speeches, like Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream,' have heartened movements for civil rights.
  • During wars, leaders often hearten troops with morale-boosting speeches to inspire courage and unity.

Origin of 'hearten'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'heart' with the suffix '-en,' meaning to make or become.
  • It originated in the late 14th century as 'heartenen,' reflecting its emotional root of strengthening warmth.

The word 'hearten' derives from the Middle English term 'herten,' which means to make strong, to invigorate, or to sustain. This, in turn, comes from the Old English 'heorot,' meaning a heart or courage. Historically, the use of 'hearten' was deeply connected to the emotional and spiritual aspects of human experience, signifying the act of filling one with courage or resolve. The term gained traction in literature and everyday language during the 14th century as people began to seek and offer emotional support amidst societal changes and challenges. Over time, 'hearten' has maintained its relevance as a verb that connects to the innate human desire for encouragement and hope in face of adversity.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,425, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.