En*cour"age*ment (?), n. [Cf. F.
encouragement.] 1. The act of
encouraging; incitement to action or to practice; as, the
encouragement of youth in generosity.
All generous encouragement of
arts.
Otway.
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.
To think of his paternal care,
Is a most sweet encouragement to prayer.
Byron.