inspire

Etymology

From Old French inspirer, variant of espirer, from Latin īnspīrāre, present active infinitive of īnspīrō (“inspire”), itself a loan-translation of the Ancient Greek πνέω (pnéō, “breathe”) in the Bible, from in + spīrō (“breathe”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ɪn.ˈspaɪɹ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɪn.ˈspaɪə(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -aɪə(ɹ)

Verb

inspire (third-person singular simple present inspires, present participle inspiring, simple past and past participle inspired)

1. (transitive) 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.
   • Bible, Wisdom xv. 11

     He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul.

   • Shakespeare

     Dawning day new comfort hath inspired.

   • 2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist‎, volume 100, number 2, page 172:

     Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.

2. (transitive) To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens or exalts; to communicate inspiration to.

   Elders should inspire children with sentiments of virtue.

   • Dryden

     Erato, thy poet's mind inspire, / And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.

3. (intransitive) To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale.
   • Harvey

     forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty

4. To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.
5. (archaic, transitive) To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.
   • Alexander Pope

     Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing, / The breathing instruments inspire.

6. (transitive) To spread rumour indirectly.

Anagrams

• spinier

Verb

inspire

1. first-person singular present subjunctive of inspirar
2. third-person singular present subjunctive of inspirar

Verb

inspire

1. first-person singular present indicative of inspirer
2. third-person singular present indicative of inspirer
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of inspirer
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of inspirer
5. second-person singular imperative of inspirer

Verb

inspire

1. First-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of inspirar
2. Third-person singular (ele, ela, also used with tu and você^?) present subjunctive of inspirar
3. Third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of inspirar
4. Third-person singular (você) negative imperative of inspirar

Verb

inspire

1. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of inspirar.
2. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of inspirar.
3. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted^?) present subjunctive form of inspirar.
4. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of inspirar.