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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Inspire

In-spīre', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. INSPIRED; p. pr. & vb. n. INSPIRING.] [Fr. inspirer, Pr. & Sp. inspirar, It. & Lat. inspirare; Lat. in and spirare, to breathe.]

  1. To draw in breath; to inhale air into the lungs; — opposed to expire.
  2. To breathe; to blow gently. “When the winds among them did inspire.” Spencer.

In-spīre', v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. 1. To breathe into; to fill with the breath. 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.

  1. To infuse into the mind; to instill; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a superior or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally.
  2. To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens, or exalts; as, to inspire a child's mind with sentiments of virtue.

Erato, thy poet's mind inspire, And fill his soul with thy celestial fire. Dryden. 5. To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale. “Forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty.” Harvey.