To listen to a number can give encouragement (7)

I believe the answer is:

hearten

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'to listen to a number can give encouragement' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'to listen to a number' is the wordplay.
'to listen to' becomes 'hear' (to hear something is to listen to it).
'a number' becomes 'ten' (ten is a number).
'hear'+'ten'='HEARTEN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hearten that I've seen before include "Comfort" , "Encourage in Teheran" , "Be encouraged" , "Inspirit" , "Encourage or cheer in cardiac manner" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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