1. (v. t.) To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.

2. (v. t.) To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.

3. (v. t.) To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale; -- opposed to expire.

4. (v. t.) To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration.

5. (v. t.) To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens, or exalts; to communicate inspiration to; as, to inspire a child with sentiments of virtue.

6. (v. i.) To draw in breath; to inhale air into the lungs; -- opposed to expire.

7. (v. i.) To breathe; to blow gently.

activate actuate affect affirm afford hope animate arouse aspirate assure augur well awaken bid fair blow bolster boost brace up breathe breathe hard breathe in breathe out brighten bring bring about bring on buck up buoy up buttress call forth call up carry cause cheer confirm contrive cough draw down draw in draw on effect elicit embolden embue encourage endow endue energize enliven evoke exalt excite exhale exhaust exhilarate expel expire fire fortify galvanize gasp get give a lift give hope gladden gulp hack have good prospects hearten hiccup hold out hope hold out promise huff imbue impress induce infect influence inform infuse inhale inject inoculate inspire hope inspirit instigate invigorate justify hope kindle lead liven make fair promise motivate move muster up nerve obtain pant pick up procure promise prompt provoke puff quicken raise expectations raise hope rally reassure reinforce rejoice rejoice the heart respire rouse set up sigh slurp sneeze sniff sniffle snore snort snuff snuff in snuffle spirit spirit up stimulate stir strengthen strike suck suck in suckle summon up superinduce support sway touch uplift vitalize vivify waken wheeze