[in.spire] vb in.spired ; in.spir.ing [ME, fr. MF & L; MF inspirer, fr. L inspirare, fr. in- + spirare to breathe] vt (14c) 1 a: to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration b: to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on "was particularly inspired by the Romanticists" c: to spur on: impel, motivate "threats don't necessarily ~ people to work" d: affect "seeing the old room again inspired him with nostalgia"
2. a archaic: to breathe or blow into or upon b archaic: to infuse (as life) by breathing 3 a: to communicate to an agent supernaturally b: to draw forth or bring out "thoughts inspired by a visit to the cathedral"
4: inhale 1
5. a: bring about, occasion "the book was inspired by his travels in the Far East" b: incite
6: to spread (rumor) by indirect means or through the agency of another ~ vi: inhale -- in.spir.er n