chirk

verb

ˈchərk 

chirked; chirking; chirks

transitive verb

: cheer

play with her and chirk her up a little

—Harriet B. Stowe

Synonyms

• bear up
• buck up
• buoy (up)
• cheer (up)
• embolden
• encourage
• hearten
• inspire
• inspirit
• steel

Examples of chirk in a Sentence

presented her with an inspirational book to chirk her up during her prolonged hospitalization

Word History

Etymology

Middle English charken, chirken to creak, chirp, from Old English cearcian to creak; akin to Old English cracian to crack

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above