inspire
verbUK /ɪnˈspaɪə(ɹ)/ · CA, US /ɪnˈspaɪɹ/
Etymology From Middle English inspiren, enspiren, from Old French inspirer, variant of espirer, from Latin īnspīrāre (“inspire”), itself a loan-translation of Biblical Ancient Greek πνέω (pnéō, “breathe”), from in + spīrō (“breathe”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys- (“to blow, breathe”). Displaced native Old English onbryrdan (literally “to prick in”).
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.
- Dawning day new comfort hath inspired.c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
- He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Wisdom 15:11:
2 more examples
- […] and whose example of reverence and devotion was so well calculated to inspire confidence and attachment in every class of the community?1810, Cobbett's Political Register - Volume 17, page 379:
- Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2013, page 172:
To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens or exalts; to communicate inspiration to.
- Elders should inspire children with sentiments of virtue.
- The captain's speech was aimed to inspire her team to victory in the final.
1 more example
- Erato, thy poet's mind inspire, / And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.1697, Virgil, “The Seventh Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
Ambitransitive To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale.
- By means of those sulfurous coal smokes the lungs are as it were stifled and extremely oppressed, whereby they are forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty.1672, Gideon Harvey, Morbus Anglicus, Or, The Anatomy of Consumptions:
- Everything was elaborately padded, even the Myers apparatus which was to absorb carbonic acid and replace the oxygen inspired by its tenant1896, H. G. Wells, In the Abyss, Pearson's Magazine:
To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.
Archaic To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.
- Deſcend ye nine! deſcend and ſing; / The breathing inſtruments inſpire, / VVake into voice each ſilent ſtring, / And ſvveep the ſounding lyre!1687 (date written), Alexander Pope, “Ode for Musick on St. Cecilia’s Day”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], →OCLC, canto I, page 371:
To spread rumour indirectly.
- Synonyms
- beghast
- Antonyms
- expire
- Derived terms
- awe-inspiring, bio-inspired, inspirable, inspirer, inspirometer, misinspire, philatelically inspired, reinspire, uninspire
- Related terms
- awe-inspire, inspiration, inspirational, inspirator, inspiratory