Inspire
inspire (inspir), v.t. (OE. enspiren, OF. enspirer,
inspirer, F. inspirer, fr. L. inspirare; pref.
in- in + spirare to breathe. See Spirit.)
1. To breathe into; to fill with the breath;
to animate.
When Zephirus eek, with his sweete breath,
Inspired hath in every holt and heath
The tender crops. Chaucer.
Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing,
The breathing instruments inspire.
Pope.
2. 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. 11.
3. To draw in by the operation of breathing;
to inhale; -- opposed to expire.
Forced to inspire and expire the air with
difficulty. Harvey.
4. 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. Spenser.
But dawning day new comfort hath
inspired. Shak.
5. 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 poets mind inspire,
And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.
Dryden.
inspire (?), v. i. (imp. p. pr. to inhale air into the
lungs; -- opposed to expire.
2. To breathe; to blow gently.
(Obs.)
And when the wind amongst them did inspire,
They waved like a penon wide dispread.
Spenser.
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