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inspires - 1 dictionary results
in·spire     (ĭn-spīr')  Pronunciation Key 
v.   in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires

v.   tr.
  1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.
  2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: hymns that inspire the congregation; an artist who was inspired by Impressionism.
    1. To stimulate to action; motivate: a sales force that was inspired by the prospect of a bonus.
    2. To affect or touch: The falling leaves inspired her with sadness.
    3. To breathe on.
    4. To breathe life into.
  4. To draw forth; elicit or arouse: a teacher who inspired admiration and respect.
  5. To be the cause or source of; bring about: an invention that inspired many imitations.
  6. To draw in (air) by inhaling.
  7. Archaic
    1. To breathe on.
    2. To breathe life into.

v.   intr.
  1. To stimulate energies, ideals, or reverence: a leader who inspires by example.
  2. To inhale.


[Middle English enspiren, from Old French enspirer, from Latin īnspīrāre : in-, into; see in-2 + spīrāre, to breathe.]

in·spir'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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