encouraging
Meaning
giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
positive and making you believe that good things will happen.
Structure
Usage
the teacher gave him an encouraging smile before the presentation.
the latest sales figures are very encouraging for the company's future.
she found his feedback to be genuinely encouraging and helpful.
Etymology
the word 'encouraging' is built upon the foundation of 'courage', which originates from the latin 'cor', meaning "heart". in ancient thought, the heart was considered the seat of emotions and inner strength, a concept that evolved through old french 'corage' into the english 'courage', signifying bravery or spirit. the prefix 'en-', derived from latin, acts as a causative force, transforming the noun into the verb 'encourage', meaning literally "to put heart into" someone. the addition of the present participle suffix '-ing' then creates an adjective describing the action or effect that gives heart, support, or positive expectation.
Analysis
en: from old french, ultimately from latin 'in-' meaning "in, into, cause to be". a prefix indicating causation or putting into a state. courage: from old french 'corage', from latin 'cor' meaning "heart". the core element meaning bravery or spirit. ing: from old english '-ende', a suffix forming present participles and adjectives from verbs.