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 ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Inspired; p. pr. & vb. n. Inspiring. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To draw in breath; to inhale air into the lungs; -- opposed to expire. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To breathe; to blow gently. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And when the wind amongst them did inspire,
They wavèd like a penon wide dispread. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Breathed in; inhaled. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Moved or animated by, or as by, a supernatural influence; affected by divine inspiration; as, the inspired prophets; the inspired writers. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Communicated or given as by supernatural or divine inspiration; having divine authority; hence, sacred, holy; -- opposed to uninspired, profane, or secular; as, the inspired writings, that is, the Scriptures. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Moved to a higher level of thought, creativity, or motivation. [ PJC ]

n. One who, or that which, inspires. “Inspirer of that holy flame.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]