inspire

inspire [in spīr′]

vt.

inspired, inspiring [ME inspiren < OFr inspirer < L inspirare < in-, in, on + spirare, to breathe: see SPIRIT]

1. Obs.

a) to breathe or blow upon or into

b) to infuse (life, etc. into) by breathing

2. to draw (air) into the lungs; inhale

3. to have an animating effect upon; influence or impel; esp., to stimulate or impel to some creative or effective effort

4. to cause, guide, communicate, or motivate as by divine or supernatural influence

5. to arouse or produce (a thought or feeling) [kindness inspires love]

6. to affect with a specified feeling or thought [to inspire someone with fear]

7. to occasion, cause, or produce

8. to prompt, or cause to be written or said, by influence [to inspire a rumor]

vi.

1. to inhale

2. to give inspiration

inspirable

adj.

inspirer

n.