ə̇nzˈpī(ə)r, ə̇nˈsp-, -īə verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English inspiren, enspiren, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French inspirer, enspirer, from Old French, from Latin inspirare, from in- in- (II) + spirare to breathe — more at spirit
transitive verb
1.
a. archaic : to breathe or blow into or upon
b. archaic : to infuse (as life) by breathing
inspired into him an active soul — Wisd Sol 15:11
c. obsolete : to breathe or blow (as air or vapor) into or upon something
2. : to draw in by breathing : breathe in : inhale
inspiring the crisp fall air
the baby will inspire the mucus down into its lungs — Fire Manual (Massachusetts)
be accomplished by increasing the oxygen percentage in the inspired air — H.G.Armstrong
— distinguished from expire
3.
a. : to influence, move, or guide (as to speech or action) through divine or supernatural agency or power
the gods were believed to inspire the oracles
spoke like a prophet inspired from above
b. : to have an animating, enlivening, or exalting effect upon especially in a degree or with a result suggestive of the workings of some extraordinary power or influence
had been inspired by his mother
our ability to inspire the plodder — Ellie Tucker
Milton and Shakespeare inspire the active life of England … through exceptional individuals — W.B.Yeats
books that have inspired countless generations
— often used with with ; specifically : to stimulate to creative activity in an art
c. : encourage , impel , motivate — usually used with to
inspired them to greater efforts
a success which inspired him to broaden his activities
d. : affect — usually used with with
experiences that inspired him with a yearning for education
poverty that inspires the beholder with pity and disgust
4.
a. : to communicate or impart (as an utterance) to an agent through divine or supernatural power
spoke in words inspired by God
b. : to infuse or introduce into the mind or communicate to the spirit
a steadfastness that inspired confidence in his followers
conduct that inspires nothing but disgust
: arouse , provoke
5.
a. : to bring about : occasion , produce
events that inspired a new fashion
studies that inspired several inventions
hoping that improvement in business would inspire a tax cut
the attacks inspired the passing of stringent food and drug regulations — E.S.Turner
b. : incite , foment
communist- inspired riots
6. : to cause to be said or written by influence and without acknowledgment of actual source or authorship
a rumor that had been inspired by interested parties
intransitive verb
1. : to impart inspiration
2. obsolete : breathe , blow
3. : to draw in breath : inhale air into the lungs
inspired deeply from a small bottle he had taken from his pocket — E.C.Bentley