Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Inspire?

\In*spire"\, 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, Inspir[`e]d hath in every holt and health 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 poet's mind inspire, And fill his soul with thy celestial fire. --Dryden.
\In*spire"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Inspired}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Inspiring}.] 1. To draw in breath; 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 wav[`e]d like a penon wide dispread. --Spenser.