Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French and Latin; Middle French inspirer, from Latin inspirare, from in- + spirare to breathe
Pronunciation : in-spIr
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. exert an enlivening or exalting influence on; motivate, stimulate, influence; encourage; inhale, breathe in; provoke, cause. inspire\in*spire"\ , v. t. [oe. enspiren, of. enspirer, inspirer, f. inspirer, fr. l. inspirare; pref. in- in + spirare to breathe. see:
spirit.].
2. to breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate. when zephirus eek, with his sweete breath, inspirèd hath in every holt and health the tender crops. descend, ye nine, descend and sing, the breathing instruments inspire.
3. to infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing. he knew not his maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul. --wisdom xv.
4. 3. to draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale; -- opposed to expire. forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty. arvey.
5. to infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration. and generous stout courage did inspire. but dawning day new comfort hath inspired.
6. to infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens, or exalts; to communicate inspiration to; as, to inspire a child with sentiments of virtue. erato, thy poet's mind inspire, and fill his soul with thy celestial fire.inspire \in*spire"\ , v. i. [imp. & p. p. inspired; p. pr. & vb. n. inspiring.].
7. to draw in breath; to inhale air into the lungs; -- opposed to expire.
8. to breathe; to blow gently. [obs.] and when the wind amongst them did inspire, they wavèd like a penon wide dispread.inspire v.
9. heighten or intensify; "these paintings exalt the imagination" [syn: animate, invigorate, enliven, exalt].
10. supply the inspiration for; "the article about the artist inspired the exhibition of his recent work".
11. serve as the inciting cause of; "she prompted me to call my relatives" [syn: prompt, instigate].
12. urge on or encourage esp. by shouts; "the crowd cheered the demonstrating strikers" [syn: cheer, urge, barrack, urge on, exhort, pep up].
13. fill with revolutionary ideas [syn: revolutionize, revolutionise, infect].
14. To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.
15. To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.
16. To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale; opposed to expire.
17. To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration.
18. To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens, or exalts; to communicate inspiration to; as, to inspire a child with sentiments of virtue.
19. To draw in breath; to inhale air into the lungs; opposed to expire.
20. To breathe; to blow gently. supply the inspiration for; "The article about the artist inspired the exhibition of his recent work" heighten or intensify; "These paintings exalt the imagination".
21. 1. If someone or something inspires you to do something new or unusual, they make you want to do it. Our challenge is to motivate those voters and inspire them to join our cause.
22. If someone or something inspires you, they give you new ideas and a strong feeling of enthusiasm. Jimi Hendrix inspired a generation of guitarists.
23. If a book, work of art, or action is inspired by something, that thing is the source of the idea for it. The book was inspired by a real person, namely Tamara de Treaux. a political murder inspired by the same nationalist conflicts now wrecking the country. + -inspired -inspired Mediterranean-inspired ceramics in bright yellow and blue.
24. Someone or something that inspires a particular emotion or reaction in people makes them feel this emotion or reaction. The car's performance quickly inspires confidence.