inspire

[ in-spahyuh r ]
/ ɪnˈspaɪər /

verb (used with object), in·spired, in·spir·ing.

verb (used without object), in·spired, in·spir·ing.

to give inspiration.
to inhale.

Origin of inspire

1300–50; Middle English inspiren < Latin inspīrāre to breathe upon or into, equivalent to in- in-2 + spīrāre to breathe

OTHER WORDS FROM inspire

Example sentences from the Web for inspiring

British Dictionary definitions for inspiring

inspire
/ (ɪnˈspaɪə) /

verb

to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate
(tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive) to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir
(tr) to prompt or instigate; give rise to her beauty inspired his love
(tr; often passive) to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration
to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale
(tr) archaic
  1. to breathe into or upon
  2. to breathe life into

Derived forms of inspire

inspirable, adjective inspirative, adjective inspirer, noun inspiringly, adverb

Word Origin for inspire

C14 (in the sense: to breathe upon, blow into): from Latin inspīrāre, from spīrāre to breathe

Medical definitions for inspiring

inspire
[ ĭn-spīr ]

v.

To draw in breath; to inhale.