Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Inspire
In-spire′
(ĭn-spīr′)
, Verb.
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,
The tender crops.
Inspirèd
hath in every holt and heathThe tender crops.
Chaucer.
Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing,
The breathing instruments
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
. Shakespeare
Erato, thy poet’s mind
And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.
inspire
,And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.
Dryden.
In-spire′
,Verb.
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
They wavèd like a penon wide dispread.
inspire
,They wavèd like a penon wide dispread.
Spenser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Inspire
INSPI'RE
,Verb.
I.
To draw in breath; to inhale air into the lungs; opposed to expire.
INSPI'RE
,Verb.
T.
Ye nine, descend and sing,
The breathing instruments inspire.
1.
To infuse by breathing. He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul.
2.
To infuse into the mind; as, to inspire with new life.3.
To infuse or suggest ideas or monitions supernaturally; to communicate divine instructions to the mind. In this manner, we suppose the prophets to have been inspired, and the Scriptures to have been composed under divine influence or direction.4.
To infuse ideas or poetic spirit.5.
To draw into the lungs; as, to inspire and expire the air with difficulty.