inspiration English · revision 5424

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1303|origins=la spīrāre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌɪn.spərˈeɪ.ʃən/, /ˌɪn.spɪˈreɪ.ʃən/, US /ˌɪn.spəˈreɪ.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|inspiracioun]], [[bor|fro|inspiracion|t=inhaling, breathing in; inspiration]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) from [[la-lat|īnspīrātiō]], from [[m|la|īnspīrāre|t=to blow into, breathe upon; to inspire]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|in-|t=in]] and [[m|la|spīrāre|t=to breathe]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[inspire]] and [[spirit]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The immediate influence of God or a god, especially that under which the holy books were written: 1303 in the OED, about 1300 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense seems to have gone from “breathe into” to “fill with life or influence”, and so to rouse or guide, especially by divine influence, recalling Genesis, where God breathed into man the breath of life.^(Etymonline) The literal action of breathing in is from 1564, the 1560s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The breathing of an idea or purpose into the mind in general is from 1651,^(OED 1989) and a person who inspires others is attested by 1867.^(Etymonline) A sudden good idea is a later sense.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1303 – divine influence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1564 – breathing in.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1651 – an idea put into the mind.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1867 – one who inspires.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something that fills a person with the wish or ability to do something creative.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person or thing that inspires others.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sudden good idea.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Divine guidance or influence on a person's mind.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The act of breathing in; [[inhalation]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[inspirational]]

+ * [[inspirationally]]

+ * [[reinspiration]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inspire]]

+ * [[spirit]]

+ * [[respiration]]

+ * [[aspiration]]

+ * [[expire]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}