US /ɪnˈspɪrɪt/ UK /ɪnˈspɪrɪt/
verb

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    literary: to give someone renewed courage, energy, or vigor

    The first clear view of the summit inspirited the exhausted climbers.

  2. 2
    verb

    archaic: to fill or animate a person or thing with spirit or life

    The poet imagined a divine breath that could inspirit the lifeless clay.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · literary: to give someone... heartenencourageinvigorateembolden
2 verb · archaic: to fill or animate... animateensoulenliven
Word family
Forms Inspirited
Derived forms inspiriterinspiritingreinspirituninspirited

Etymology

From Middle English inspiriten, formed from in- + spirit. Spirit came through Old French from Latin spiritus, 'breath, spirit,' from spirare, 'breathe.' The word's central image is therefore the infusion of breath, life, courage, or vigor into someone or something.

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