Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for IN-SPIRE'
IN-SPIRE', v.t.
- To breathe into. Ye nine descend and sing, / The breathing instruments inspire. Pope.
- To infuse by breathing. He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul. Wisdom.
- To infuse into the mind; as, to inspire with new life.
- To infuse or suggest ideas or monitions supernaturally; to communicate divine instructions to the mind. In this manner, we suppose the prophets to have been inspired, and the Scriptures to have been composed under divine influence or direction.
- To infuse ideas or poetic spirit.
- To draw into the lungs; as, to inspire and expire the air with difficulty. Harvey.
Return to page 119 of the letter “I”.