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more about inspire
inspire |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Inspire \In*spire"\, v. 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 inspire, They wav[`e]d like a penon wide dispread. --Spenser. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Inspire \In*spire"\, v. 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, Inspir[`e]d hath in every holt and health The tender crops. --Chaucer. Descend, 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 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: inspire v 1: heighten or intensify; "These paintings exalt the imagination" [syn: {animate}, {invigorate}, {enliven}, {exalt}] 2: supply the inspiration for "The article about the artist inspired the exhibition of his recent work" 3: serve as the inciting cause of "She prompted me to call my relatives" [syn: {prompt}, {instigate}] 4: urge on or encourage esp. by shouts; "The crowd cheered the demonstrating strikers" [syn: {cheer}, {urge}, {barrack}, {urge on}, {exhort}, {pep up}] 5: fill with revolutionary ideas [syn: {revolutionize}, {infect}]
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