inspire English · revision 10581

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=fro enspirer|origins=la inspirare}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪnˈspaɪə/, US /ɪnˈspaɪ.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|enspirer]] (13th century),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from Latin [[m|la|īnspīrāre|t=to blow into, breathe upon]], figuratively to inspire, inflame,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from in-, in, and spīrāre, to breathe (see [[spirit]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Barnhart thinks it may also be partly a back-formation from [[inspiration]], recorded about 1303.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To fill the mind or heart with a divine influence, a thought or feeling: about 1340,^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-14th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the word was first used of a divine or supernatural being putting an idea or truth into someone's mind.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general sense, to influence or animate with an idea or purpose, is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) Literal senses, to breathe or blow into, are from about 1386 and now obsolete or archaic,^(OED 1989) while to breathe in, inhale, is from 1528.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) To prompt or give rise to something (''her beauty inspired his love'') is a modern use,^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1303 – inspiration.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1340 – to fill with divine influence.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – to animate with an idea.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1386 – to breathe into (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1528 – to inhale.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To fill with the urge or ability to do something, especially something creative; to [[motivate]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To arouse a feeling: ''to inspire confidence''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To guide or affect by [[divine]] influence.^(AHD)

+ # To breathe in; to [[inhale]].^(AHD)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[inspirer]]

+ * [[inspiringly]]

+ * [[awe-inspiring]]

+ * [[inspirable]]

+ * [[reinspire]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inspiration]]

+ * [[inspirational]]

+ * [[inspirator]]

+ * [[inspiratory]]

+ * [[spirit]]

+ * [[aspire]]

+ * [[expire]]

+ * [[respire]]

+ * [[conspire]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}