Inspire \In*spire"\ ([i^]n*sp[imac]r"), v. t. [OE. enspiren, OF.
enspirer, inspirer, F. inspirer, fr. L. inspirare; pref. in-
in + spirare to breathe. See {Spirit}.]
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1. To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.
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When Zephirus eek, with his sweete breath,
Inspir[`e]d hath in every holt and heath
The tender crops. --Chaucer.
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Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing,
The breathing instruments inspire. --Pope.
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2. To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.
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He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into
him an active soul. --Wisdom xv.
11.
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3. To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale; --
opposed to {expire}.
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Forced to inspire and expire the air with
difficulty. --Harvey.
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4. To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to
convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to
disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by
inspiration.
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And generous stout courage did inspire. --Spenser.
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But dawning day new comfort hath inspired. --Shak.
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5. To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or
supernatural influence; to fill with what animates,
enlivens, or exalts; to communicate inspiration to; as, to
inspire a child with sentiments of virtue; to inspire a
person to do extraordinary feats.
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Erato, thy poet's mind inspire,
And fill his soul with thy celestial fire. --Dryden.
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