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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:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical inspire definition - medical

inspire Synonyms

inspire

v.

  1. To encourage

    inspirit, invigorate, spur, animate; see encourage 2, incite.

  2. To stimulate to creative activity

    fire, spark, stimulate, rouse, kindle, quicken, be the cause of, start off, put one in the mood, set aglow, give one the idea for, motivate, touch the imagination, give an impetus; see also cause 2, excite 1, urge 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

inspire Usage Examples

Object

  • confidence: This hardly inspires confidence in anything that she says on the matter.

Adjective complement

  • exciting: Each one helps to enhance families' reading experiences with the classic Dr. Seuss books and inspire exciting, original new story lines.

Modifying Another Word

  • divinely: He believed that the Greek translation of the Old Testament ( the Septuagint, dating from the third century BC ) was divinely inspired.

Preposition: by

  • likes: He was musically inspired by the likes of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin ' Wolf and also Wilson Pickett.
inspire usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

inspire quotes

His stately ship of life, having weathered the severest storms of a troubled century, is anchored in tranquil waters, proofthatcourageand faith and zest for freedom are truly indestructible. The record of his triumphant passage will inspire free hearts all over the globe.

-Kennedy,John F(itzgerald)

Books and the Man I sing, the first who brings The Smithfield Muses to the Ear of Kings. Say great Patricians! (since your selves inspire These wond'rous works; so Jove and Fate require) Say from what cause, in vain decry'd and curst, Still Dunce the second reigns like Dunce the first?

-Pope, Alexander

Poets are the hierophants of an unapprehended inspiration; the mirrors of the gigantic shadows which futuritycastsuponthepresent; thewordswhichexpress what they understand not; the trumpets which sing to battle, and feel not what they inspire; the influence which is moved not, but moves. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.

-Shelley, Percy Bysshe

inspire quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"inspire." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/inspire>

APA Style

inspire. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/inspire

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