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inspire definition

in·spire (in spīr)

transitive verb inspired -·spired′, inspiring -·spir′·ing

  1. Obsolete
    1. to breathe or blow upon or into
    2. 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

Etymology: ME inspiren < OFr inspirer < L inspirare < in-, in, on + spirare, to breathe: see spirit

intransitive verb

  1. to inhale
  2. to give inspiration

Related Forms:

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