I.to blow into or upon a thing; to breathe into, inspire (poet. and post-Aug.).
I. Lit., to blow into; with the simple acc.: “foramen,” Plin. 10, 29, 43, § 84.—To blow upon; with abl.: “fistulā sensim graviusculum sonum inspirare,” to blow upon the flute, produce by blowing on the flute, Gell. 1, 11, 13: Atticos ιχθύν, ἱρόν inspirantis primae litterae dixisse, to pronounce with a breathing, to aspirate a letter, id. 2, 3, 2.—With dat.: “alicui animam,” to breathe into, Vulg. Sap. 15, 11; cf.: “in faciem ejus spiraculum vitae,” ib. Gen. 2, 7.—Impers.: “si gravitati aurium per fistulas inspiretur,” Plin. 34, 12, 32, § 127. —
II. Trop., to breathe into, inspire, excite, inflame: “occultum ignem,” Verg. A. 1, 688: “magnam mentem animumque,” id. ib. 6, 12: “amorem,” Stat. S. 1, 2, 194: “fortitudinem,” Curt. 4, 13, 12: “iram, misericordiam,” Quint. 12, 10, 62: “quibus viribus inspiret (orator),” animate, inflame, Quint. 2, 5, 8; 5, 14, 32.—
B. Of religious feeling or influence, to inspire: “unde adhuc, qui inspirari solent, fatuari dicuntur,” Just. 43, 1, 8: “vates,” id. 18, 5, 7: “Spiritu Sancto,” Vulg. 2 Pet. 1, 21 et saep.—Hence, adv.: inspīrātē , inspiredly, benignantly, abundantly; only comp.: “inspiratius,” Val. Max. 3, 8, 2 (dub. al. insperatius).
