Chapter 31

6. A woven or painted design in squares resembling the patten of a checkerboard; one of the squares of such a design; also, cloth having such a figure.

7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.

8. Small chick or crack.

Bank check, a written order on a banker or broker to pay money in his keeping belonging to the signer. -- Check book, a book containing blank forms for checks upon a bank. -- Check hook, a hook on the saddle of a harness, over which a checkrein is looped. -- Check list, a list or catalogue by which things may be verified, or on which they may be checked. -- Check nut (Mech.), a secondary nut, screwing down upon the primary nut to secure it. Knight. -- Check valve (Mech.), a valve in the feed pipe of a boiler to prevent the return of the feed water. -- To take check, to take offense. [Obs.] Dryden.

Syn. -- Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction; reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff; tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.

Check, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Checked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. checking.] 1. (Chess) To make a move which puts an adversary's piece, esp. his king, in check; to put in check.

2. To put a sudden restraint upon; to stop temporarily; to hinder; to repress; to curb.

So many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression. Burke.

3. To verify, to guard, to make secure, by means of a mark, token, or other check; to distinguish by a check; to put a mark against (an item) after comparing with an original or a counterpart in order to secure accuracy; as, to check an account; to check baggage.

4. To chide, rebuke, or reprove.

The good king, his master, will check him for it. Shak.

5. (Naut.) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.

6. To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack; as, the sun checks timber.

Syn. -- To restrain; curb; bridle; repress; control; hinder; impede; obstruct; interrupt; tally; rebuke; reprove; rebuff.

Check (?), v. i. To make a stop; to pause; -- with at.

The mind, once jaded by an attempt above its power, either is disabled for the future, or else checks at any vigorous undertaking ever after. Locke.

2. To clash or interfere. [R.] Bacon.

3. To act as a curb or restraint.

It [his presence] checks too strong upon me. Dryden.

4. To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.

5. (Falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.

And like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye. Shak.

Check, a. Checkered; designed in checks.

Check"age (?), n. 1. The act of checking; as, the checkage of a name or of an item in a list.

2. The items, or the amount, to which attention is called by a check or checks.

Check"er, n. [From Check, v. t.] One who checks.

Check"er (ch&ebreve;k"&etilde;r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Checkered (- &etilde;rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Checkering.] [From OF. eschequier a chessboard, F. Úchiquier. See Check, n., and cf. 3d Checker.] 1. To mark with small squares like a checkerboard, as by crossing stripes of different colors.

2. To variegate or diversify with different qualities, colors, scenes, or events; esp., to subject to frequent alternations of prosperity and adversity.

Our minds are, as it were, checkered with truth and falsehood. Addison.

Check"er, n. [OF. eschequier. See Checker, v. t.]

1. A piece in the game of draughts or checkers.

2. A pattern in checks; a single check.

3. Checkerwork.

&fist; This word is also written chequer.

Check"er*ber`ry (-b&ebreve;r`r&ybreve;), n.; pl. Checkerberries (#). (Bot.) A spicy plant and its bright red berry; the wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). Also incorrectly applied to the partridge berry (Mitchella repens).

Check"er*board (-bōrd`), n. A board with sixty-four squares of alternate color, used for playing checkers or draughts.

Check"ered (-&etilde;rd), a. 1. Marked with alternate squares or checks of different color or material.

Dancing in the checkered shade. Milton.

2. Diversified or variegated in a marked manner, as in appearance, character, circumstances, etc.

This checkered narrative. Macaulay.

Check"ers (ch&ebreve;k"&etilde;rz), n. pl. [See Checher, v.] A game, called also daughts, played on a checkerboard by two persons, each having twelve men (counters or checkers) which are moved diagonally. The game is ended when either of the players has lost all his men, or can not move them.

Check"er*work` (?), n. 1. Work consisting of or showing checkers varied alternately as to colors or materials.

2. Any aggregate of varied vicissitudes.

How strange a checkerwork of Providence is the life of man. De Foe.

Check"la*ton (?), n. 1. Ciclatoun. [Obs.]

2. Gilded leather. [Obs.] Spenser.

Check"less, a. That can not be checked or restrained.

Check"mate, n. [F. Úchec et mat, fr. Per. shāh māt ceckmate, lit., the king is dead, fr. Ar. māta he died, is dead. The king, when made prisoner, or checkmated, is assumed to be dead, and the game is finished. See Chess.] 1. The position in the game of chess when a king is in check and cannot be released, -- which ends the game.

2. A complete check; utter defeat or overthrow.

Check"mate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Checkmated; p. pr. & vb. n. Checkmating.] 1. (Chess) To check (an adversary's king) in such a manner that escape in impossible; to defeat (an adversary) by putting his king in check from which there is no escape.

2. To defeat completely; to terminate; to thwart.

To checkmate and control my just demands. Ford.

Check"rein` (?), n. 1. A short rein looped over the check hook to prevent a horse from lowering his head; -- called also a bearing rein.

2. A branch rein connecting the driving rein of one horse of a span or pair with the bit of the other horse.

Check"roll` (?), n. A list of servants in a household; -- called also chequer roll.

Check"string` (?), n. A cord by which a person in a carriage or horse car may signal to the driver.

Check"work (?), n. Anything made so as to form alternate squares like those of a checkerboard.

Check"y (ch&ebreve;k"&ybreve;), a. (Her.) Divided into small alternating squares of two tinctures; -- said of the field or of an armorial bearing. [Written also checquy, chequy.]

Ched"dar (?), a. Of or pertaining to, or made at, Cheddar, in England; as, Cheddar cheese.

Cheek (chēk), n. [OE. cheke, cheoke, AS. ceÓce, ce˛ce; cf. Goth. kukjan to kiss, D. kaak cheek; perh. akin to E. chew, jaw.] 1. The side of the face below the eye.

2. The cheek bone. [Obs.] Caucer.

3. pl. (Mech.) Those pieces of a machine, or of any timber, or stone work, which form corresponding sides, or which are similar and in pair; as, the cheeks (jaws) of a vise; the cheeks of a gun carriage, etc.

4. pl. The branches of a bridle bit. Knight.

5. (Founding) A section of a flask, so made that it can be moved laterally, to permit the removal of the pattern from the mold; the middle part of a flask.

6. Cool confidence; assurance; impudence. [Slang]

Cheek of beef. See Illust. of Beef. -- Cheek bone (Anat.) the bone of the side of the face; esp., the malar bone. -- Cheek by jowl, side by side; very intimate. -- Cheek pouch (Zo÷l.), a sacklike dilation of the cheeks of certain monkeys and rodents, used for holding food. -- Cheeks of a block, the two sides of the shell of a tackle block. -- Cheeks of a mast, the projection on each side of a mast, upon which the trestletrees rest. -- Cheek tooth (Anat.), a hinder or molar tooth. -- Butment cheek. See under Butment.

Cheek (chēk), v. t. To be impudent or saucy to. [Slang.]

Cheeked (chēkt), a. Having a cheek; -- used in composition. "Rose- cheeked Adonis." Shak.

Cheek"y, a Brazen-faced; impudent; bold. [Slang.]

Cheep (chēp), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Cheeped (chēpt).] [Cf. Chirp]. To chirp, as a young bird.

Cheep, v. t. To give expression to in a chirping tone.

Cheep and twitter twenty million loves. Tennyson.

Cheep, n. A chirp, peep, or squeak, as of a young bird or mouse.

Cheer (chēr), n. [OE. chere face, welcome, cheer, OF. chiere, F. chŔre, fr. LL. cara face, Gr. ka`ra head; akin to Skr. širas, L. cerebrum brain, G. hirn, and E. cranium.] 1. The face; the countenance or its expression. [Obs.] "Sweat of thy cheer." Wyclif.

2. Feeling; spirit; state of mind or heart.

Be of good cheer. Matt. ix. 2.

The parents . . . fled away with heavy cheer. Holland.

3. Gayety; mirth; cheerfulness; animation.

I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. Shak.

1. That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment; as, a table loaded with good cheer.

5. A shout, hurrah, or acclamation, expressing joy enthusiasm, applause, favor, etc.

Welcome her, thundering cheer of the street. Tennyson.

Whzt cheer? Now do you fare? What is there that is cheering?

Cheer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cheered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. cheering.] 1. To cause to rejoice; to gladden; to make cheerful; -- often with up. Cowpe.

2. To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort.

The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered. Dryden.

3. To salute or applaud with cheers; to urge on by cheers; as, to cheer hounds in a chase.

To cheer ship, to salute a passing ship by cheers of sailors stationed in the rigging.

Syn. -- To gladden; encourage; inspirit; comfort; console; enliven; refresh; exhilarate; animate; applaud.

Cheer, v. i. 1. To grow cheerful; to become gladsome or joyous; -- usually with up.

At sight of thee my gloomy soul cheers up. A. Philips.

2. To be in any state or temper of mind. [Obs.]

How cheer'st thou, Jessica? Shak.

3. To utter a shout or shouts of applause, triumph, etc.

And even the ranks of Tusculum Could scare forbear to cheer. Macaulay.

Cheer"er (?), n. One who cheers; one who, or that which, gladdens. "Thou cheerer of our days." Wotton. "Prime cheerer, light." Thomson.

Cheer"ful (?), a. Having or showing good spirits or joy; cheering; cheery; contented; happy; joyful; lively; animated; willing.

To entertain a cheerful disposition. Shak.

The cheerful birds of sundry kind Do chant sweet music. Spenser.

A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God. Macaulay.

This general applause and cheerful shout. Shak.

Syn. -- Lively; animated; gay; joyful; lightsome; gleeful; blithe; airy; sprightly; jocund; jolly; joyous; vivacious; buoyant; sunny; happy; hopeful.

Cheer"ful*ly, adv. In a cheerful manner, gladly.

Cheer"ful*ness, n. Good spirits; a state of moderate joy or gayety; alacrity.

Cheer"i*ly (?), adv. In a cheery manner.

Cheer"i*ness, n. The state of being cheery.

Cheer"ing*ly (?), adv. In a manner to cheer or encourage.

Cheer"is*ness, n. Cheerfulness. [Obs.]

There is no Christian duty that is not to be seasoned and set off with cheerishness. Milton.

Cheer"less, a. Without joy, gladness, or comfort.

-- Cheer"less*ly, adv. -- Cheer"less*ness, n.

My cheerful day is turned to cheerless night. Spenser.

Syn. -- Gloomy; sad; comfortless; dispiriting; dicsconsolate; dejected; melancholy; forlorn.

Cheer"ly (?), a. Gay; cheerful. [Obs.] Shak.

Cheer"ly, adv. Cheerily. [Archaic] Tennyson.

Cheer"ry (?), a. Cheerful; lively; gay; bright; pleasant; as, a cheery person.

His cheery little study, where the sunshine glimmered so pleasantly. Hawthorne.

Cheese (?), n. [OE. chese, AS. cēse, fr. L. caseus, LL. casius. Cf. Casein.] 1. The curd of milk, coagulated usually with rennet, separated from the whey, and pressed into a solid mass in a hoop or mold.

2. A mass of pomace, or ground apples, pressed together in the form of a cheese.

3. The flat, circular, mucilaginous fruit of the dwarf mallow (Malva rotundifolia). [Colloq.]

4. A low courtesy; -- so called on account of the cheese form assumed by a woman's dress when she stoops after extending the skirts by a rapid gyration. De Quincey. Thackeray.

Cheese cake, a cake made of or filled with, a composition of soft curds, sugar, and butter. Prior. -- Cheese fly (Zo÷l.), a black dipterous insect (Piophila casei) of which the larvŠ or maggots, called skippers or hoppers, live in cheese. -- Cheese mite (Zo÷l.), a minute mite (Tryoglyhus siro) in cheese and other articles of food. -- Cheese press, a press used in making cheese, to separate the whey from the curd, and to press the curd into a mold. -- Cheese rennet (Bot.), a plant of the Madder family (Golium verum, or yellow bedstraw), sometimes used to coagulate milk. The roots are used as a substitute for madder. -- Cheese vat, a vat or tub in which the curd is formed and cut or broken, in cheese making.

Cheese"lep (?), n. [Cf. Keslop.] A bag in which rennet is kept.

Cheese"mon`ger (?), n. One who deals in cheese. B. Jonson.

Cheese"par`ing (?), n. A thin portion of the rind of a cheese. -- a. Scrimping; mean; as, cheeseparing economy.

Chees"i*ness (?), n. The quality of being cheesy.

Chees"y (?), a. Having the nature, qualities, taste, form, consistency, or appearance of cheese.

Chee"tah (?), n. [Hind. chītā.] (Zo÷l.) A species of leopard (CynŠlurus jubatus) tamed and used for hunting in India. The woolly cheetah of South Africa is C. laneus. [Written also chetah.]

||Chef (?), n. [F.] 1. A chief of head person.

2. The head cook of large establishment, as a club, a family, etc.

3. (Her.) Same as Chief.

||Chef`-d'ťuvre" (?), n.; pl. Chefs-d'ťuvre (#). [F.] A masterpiece; a capital work in art, literature, etc.

{ Cheg"oe (?), Cheg"re (?) }, n. See Chigoe.

Chei"lo*plas`ty (?), n. [Gr. &?; a lip + -plasty.] (Surg.) The process of forming an artificial tip or part of a lip, by using for the purpose a piece of healthy tissue taken from some neighboring part.

||Chei*lop"o*da (?), n. [NL.] (Zo÷l.) See Chilopoda.

Chei*rop"ter (?), n. (Zo÷l.) One of the Cheiroptera.

||Chei*rop"te*ra (k>isl/*r&obreve;p"t&etilde;r), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. chei`r hand + ptero`n wing.] (Zo÷l.) An order of mammalia, including the bats, having four toes of each of the anterior limbs elongated and connected by a web, so that they can be used like wings in flying. See Bat.

Chei*rop"ter*ous (?), a. (Zo÷l.) Belonging to the Cheiroptera, or Bat family.

||Chei*rop`te*ryg"i*um (?), n.; pl. Cheiropterygia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; hand + &?;; &?; wing, fin.] (Anat.) The typical pentadactyloid limb of the higher vertebrates.

Chei*ros"o*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; hand + &?; knowledge.] The art of reading character as it is delineated in the hand.

-- Chei*ros"o*phist (&?;), n.

||Chei`ro*the"ri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; hand + &?; beast.] (Poleon.) A genus of extinct animals, so named from fossil footprints rudely resembling impressions of the human hand, and believed to have been made by labyrinthodont reptiles. See Illustration in Appendix.

Chek`e*la*toun" (?), n. See Ciclatoun. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Chek"mak (?), n. A turkish fabric of silk and cotton, with gold thread interwoven.

||Che"la (?), n.; pl. ChelŠ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. chhlh` claw.] (Zo÷l.) The pincherlike claw of Crustacea and Arachnida.

Che"late (?), a. (Zo÷l.) Same as Cheliferous.

Chel`e*ryth"rine (?), n. [Gr. &?; celandine + 'eryqro`s red.] (Chem.) An alkaloidal principle obtained from the celandine, and named from the red color of its salts. It is a colorless crystalline substance, and acts as an acrid narcotic poison. It is identical with sanguinarine.

||Che*lic"e*ra (k&esl;*l&ibreve;s"&esl;*r&adot;), n.; pl. ChelicerŠ (-rē). [NL., fr. Gr. chhlh` claw + ke`ras horn.] (Zo÷l.) One of the anterior pair of mouth organs, terminated by a pincherlike claw, in scorpions and allied Arachnida. They are homologous with the falcers of spiders, and probably with the mandibles of insects.

Chel"i*don (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. chelidw`n.] (Anat.) The hollow at the flexure of the arm.

Chel`i*don"ic (?), a. [See Celandine.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the celandine.

Chelidonic acid, a weak acid extracted from the celandine (Chelidonium majus), as a white crystalline substance.

||Chel`i*do"ni*us (?), n. [L. (sc. lapillus.)] A small stone taken from the gizzard of a young swallow. -- anciently worn as a medicinal charm.

Chel"i*fer (?), n. [Gr. chhlh` claw + -fer.] (Zo÷l.) See Book scorpion, under Book.

Che*lif"er*ous (?), a. [Gr. chhlh` claw + -ferous.] (Zo÷l.) Having cheliform claws, like a crab.

Chel"i*form (?), a. [Gr. chhlh` claw + -form.] (Zo÷l.) Having a movable joint or finger closing against a preceding joint or a projecting part of it, so that the whole may be used for grasping, as the claw of a crab; pincherlike.

||Che*lo"ne (?), n. [Gr. chelw`nh a tortoise. So named from shape of the upper lip of the corolla.] (Bot.) A genus of hardy perennial flowering plants, of the order ScrophulariaceŠ, natives of North America; -- called also snakehead, turtlehead, shellflower, etc.

||Che*lo"ni*a (k&esl;*lō"n&ibreve;*&adot;), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. chelw`nh a tortoise.] (Zo÷l.) An order of reptiles, including the tortoises and turtles, peculiar in having a part of the vertebrŠ, ribs, and sternum united with the dermal plates so as to form a firm shell. The jaws are covered by a horny beak. See Reptilia; also, Illust. in Appendix.

Che*lo"ni*an (?), a. (Zo÷l.) Of or pertaining to animals of the tortoise kind. -- n. One of the Chelonia.

||Che*lu"ra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. chhlh` claw + &?; tail.] (Zo÷l.) A genus of marine amphipod crustacea, which bore into and sometimes destroy timber.

Che"ly (?), n. A claw. See Chela. [Obs.]

Chem"ic (?), n. [See Chenistry.] 1. A chemist; an alchemist. [Obs.]

2. (Bleaching) A solution of chloride of lime.

Chem"ic, a. Chemical. Blackw. Mag.

Chem"ic*al (?), a. Pertaining to chemistry; characterized or produced by the forces and operations of chemistry; employed in the processes of chemistry; as, chemical changes; chemical combinations.

Chemical attraction or affinity. See under Attraction.

Chem"ic*al, n. A substance used for producing a chemical effect; a reagent.

Chem"ic*al*ly, adv. According to chemical principles; by chemical process or operation.

Chem`i*glyph"ic (?), a. [Chemical + &?; to engrave.] Engraved by a voltaic battery.

Chem`i*loon" (?), n. A garment for women, consisting of chemise and drawers united in one. [U. S.]

Che*mise" (?), n. [F., shirt, fr. LL. camisa, camisia, shirt, thin dress; cf. G. hemd, or OIr. caimmse sort of garment. Cf. Camis.] 1. A shift, or undergarment, worn by women.

2. A wall that lines the face of a bank or earthwork.

Chem`i*sette" (?), n.[F., dim. of chemise.] An under-garment, worn by women, usually covering the neck, shoulders, and breast.

Chem"ism (?), n. [Cf. F. chimisme. See Chemistry.] The force exerted between the atoms of elementary substance whereby they unite to form chemical compounds; chemical attaction; affinity; -- sometimes used as a general expression for chemical activity or relationship.

Chem"ist, n. [Shortened from alchemist; cf. F. chimiste.] A person versed in chemistry or given to chemical investigation; an analyst; a maker or seller of chemicals or drugs.

Chem"is*try (k&ebreve;m"&ibreve;s*tr&ybreve;; 277), n. [From Chemist. See Alchemy.] 1. That branch of science which treats of the composition of substances, and of the changes which they undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind, or mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes in the composition and constitution of molecules. See Atom, Molecule.

&fist; Historically, chemistry is an outgrowth of alchemy (or alchemistry), with which it was anciently identified.

2. An application of chemical theory and method to the consideration of some particular subject; as, the chemistry of iron; the chemistry of indigo.

3. A treatise on chemistry.

&fist; This word and its derivatives were formerly written with y, and sometimes with i, instead of e, in the first syllable, chymistry, chymist, chymical, etc., or chimistry, chimist, chimical, etc.; and the pronunciation was conformed to the orthography.

Inorganic chemistry, that which treats of inorganic or mineral substances. -- Organic chemistry, that which treats of the substances which form the structure of organized beings and their products, whether animal or vegetable; -- called also chemistry of the carbon compounds. There is no fundamental difference between organic and inorganic chemistry. -- Physiological chemistry, the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body, and of the various physiological processes incident to life. -- Practical chemistry, or Applied chemistry, that which treats of the modes of manufacturing the products of chemistry that are useful in the arts, of their applications to economical purposes, and of the conditions essential to their best use. -- Pure chemistry, the consideration of the facts and theories of chemistry in their purely scientific relations, without necessary reference to their practical applications or mere utility.

Chem"i*type (?), n. [Chemical + -type.] (Engraving) One of a number of processes by which an impression from an engraved plate is obtained in relief, to be used for printing on an ordinary printing press.

Che*mol"y*sis (?), n. [Chemical + Gr. &?; a loosing.] A term sometimes applied to the decomposition of organic substance into more simple bodies, by the use of chemical agents alone. Thudichum.

Chem`os*mo"sis (?), n. [Chemical + osmosis.] Chemical action taking place through an intervening membrane.

Chem`os*mot"ic (?), a. Pertaining to, or produced by, chemosmosis. [R.]

Che*mung" pe"ri*od (?), (Geol.) A subdivision in the upper part of the Devonian system in America, so named from the Chemung River, along which the rocks are well developed. It includes the Portage and Chemung groups or epochs. See the Diagram under Geology.

||Cheng (?), n. [Chinese.] A chinese reed instrument, with tubes, blown by the mouth.

Che*nille" (sh&esl;*nēl"), n. [F., prop., a caterpillar.] Tufted cord, of silk or worsted, for the trimming of ladies' dresses, for embroidery and fringes, and for the weft of Chenille rugs.

||Che`no*mor"phŠ (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; the wild goose + &?; form.] (Zo÷l.) An order of birds, including the swans, ducks, geese, flamingoes and screamers.

Chep"ster (ch&ebreve;p"st&etilde;r), n. (Zo÷l.) The European starling. [Local, Eng.]

Cheque (ch&ebreve;k), n. See Check.

Cheq"uer (ch&ebreve;k"&etilde;r), n. & v. Same as Checker.

Che*quin" (ch&esl;*kēn"), n. A coin. See Sequin. Shak.

Cheq"uy (?), n. (Her.) Same as Checky.

Cher"if (sh&ebreve;r"&ibreve;f), n. See Sherif.

Cher`i*moy"er (?), n. [F. chÚrimolier.] (Bot.) 1. A small downy-leaved tree (Anona Cherimolia), with fragrant flowers. It is a native of Peru.

2. Its delicious fruit, which is succulent, dark purple, and similar to the custard apple of the West Indies.

Cher"ish (ch&ebreve;r"&ibreve;sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cherished (- &ibreve;sht); p. pr. & vb. n. Cherising.] [F. chÚrir, fr. cher dear, fr. L. carus. See Caress, Finish.] 1. To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid.

We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. 1 Thess. ii. 7.

2. To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote; as, to cherish religious principle.

To cherish virtue and humanity. Burke.

Syn. -- To nourish; foster; nurse; nurture; entertain; encourage; comfort; protect; support; See Nurture.

Cher"ish*er (ch&ebreve;r"&ibreve;sh*&etilde;r), n. One who cherishes.

The cherisher of my flesh and blood. Shak.

Cher"ish*ment (?), n. Encouragement; comfort. [Obs.]