Gives encouragement to drink? (6)
I believe the answer is:
cheers
'gives' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both human attributes as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'encouragement to drink?' is the wordplay.
'encouragement' becomes 'cheer' (I've seen this before).
'to drink?' becomes 's' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'cheer'+'s'='CHEERS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cheers that I've seen before include "so long and > much appreciated" , "Ta; gives comfort to" , "Shouts of praise" , "Encouragement" , "Bottoms up; thanks" .)