Inspire (&ibreve_;nspīr), 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,
Inspirèd 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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