v. t. [ OE. enspiren, OF. enspirer, inspirer, F. inspirer, fr. L. inspirare; pref. in- in + spirare to breathe. See Spirit. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate. [ 1913 Webster ] When Zephirus eek, with his sweete breath,
Inspirèd hath in every holt and heath
The tender crops. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing,
The breathing instruments inspire. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing. [ 1913 Webster ] He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul. Wisdom xv. 11. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale; -- opposed to expire. [ 1913 Webster ] Forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty. Harvey. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] And generous stout courage did inspire. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] But dawning day new comfort hath inspired. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] Erato, thy poet's mind inspire,
And fill his soul with thy celestial fire. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
