Inspire

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪn.ˈspaɪə(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -aɪə(ɹ)

Origin

From Old French inspirer, variant of espirer, from Latin īnspīrāre, present active infinitive of īnspīrō ("inspire"), itself a loan-translation of the Ancient Greek πνέω (pneō, "breathe") in the Bible, from in + spīrō ("breathe").

Full definition of inspire

Verb

1. (transitive) 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.
• Bible, Wisdom xv. 11He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul.
• ShakespeareDawning day new comfort hath inspired.
• 2012, Anna Lena Phillips, Sneaky Silk Moths, 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.
2. (transitive) 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.
• DrydenErato, thy poet's mind inspire,
  And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.
3. (intransitive) To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale.
• Harveyforced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty
4. To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.
5. (archaic, transitive) To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.
• Alexander PopeDescend, ye Nine, descend and sing,
  The breathing instruments inspire.
6. (transitive) To spread rumour indirectly.

Synonyms

• beghast

Antonyms

• (inhale) expire

Derived terms

• inspirer

Related terms

• inspiration
• inspirational
• inspirator
• inspiratory

Anagrams

• spinier