▪ I. inspiring, vbl. n.
(ɪnˈspaɪərɪŋ)
[f. inspire v. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb inspire; inspiration; breathing in, inhalation; infusion of divine influence, etc.
| a 1340 Hampole Psalter xvii. 18 Þe inspirynge of his ire is when he says stilly in oure hert, bote if ȝe lefe ȝoure syn..ȝe be tynt men. 1528 Paynel Salerne's Regim. 2 A ij b, Inspirynge of hotte aier..by breathyng of warme aier, the mattier is warmed and riped. 1529 Frith Antith. Wks. (1829) 313 Christ's law, which is the holy Scripture, came by the inspiring of the Holy Ghost. 1667 Phil. Trans. II. 604 How, by inspiring, the Breath is distributed through the Lungs. a 1711 Ken Psyche Poet. Wks. 1721 IV. 258 To thee from whose Inspirings flow, Our Souls immortal unconfin'd. 1844 Mrs. Browning Dead Pan xiii, Shall..no hero take inspiring From the god-Greek of her lips? |
▪ II. inˈspiring, ppl. a.
[-ing2.]
That inspires.
1. a. Breathing or blowing upon or into something. b. Breathing in, inhaling.
| 1661 Walton Angler i. i. (ed. 3) 9 If the inspiring and expiring Organ of any animal be stopt, it suddenly dies. 1735 Pope Donne's Sat. ii. 20 Heav'd by the breath th' inspiring bellows blow: Th' inspiring bellows lie and pant below. |
2. Infusing a divine, supernatural, or exalting influence; animating.
| 1717 Pope Ep. Jervas 28 With thee, on Raphaels Monument I mourn, Or wait inspiring Dreams at Maro's Urn. 1790 Burns Tam O'Shanter 105 Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn, What dangers thou canst make us scorn! 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 144 Love, has hitherto been the inspiring influence of modern poetry and romance. 1885 S. Cox Expos. Ser. i. vii. 83 What promise could be more welcome or more inspiring? |
Hence inˈspiringly adv., in an inspiring manner; so as to inspire or animate.
| 1800 W. Taylor in Robberds Mem. I. 332 He has not breathed the air of Helicon so familiarly as the light of nature, or not so inspiringly. 1821 Examiner 786/2 The people of France were never thus inspiringly acted upon. |