English
inspiration
Etymology

From Middle English inspiracioun, from Old French inspiration, from Late Latin īnspīrātiōnem (nominative: īnspīrātiō), from Latin īnspīrātus (past participle of inspīrō).

Morphologically inspire + -ation. Displaced native Old English onbryrdnes (literally “in-pricked-ness”).

Pronunciation
  • (British) IPA: /ˌɪn.spɪˈɹeɪ.ʃən/
    • (America, Canada) IPA: /ˌɪn.spɚˈeɪ.ʃən/
    • (Australia) IPA: /ˌɪn.spəˈɹæɪ.ʃən/
Noun

inspiration

  1. (physiology, uncountable) The drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm, as part of the act of respiration.
  2. (countable) A breath, a single inhalation.
  3. A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies people to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated.
    • 1688, Jacques Bénigne Bossuet, The History of the Variations of the Protestant Churches ↗ Vol.2 (1829 translation), p. 355:
      The question, therefore, at issue is, not whether those external means be sufficient without grace and divine inspiration, for none pretends that": but, in order to hinder men from feigning or imagining an inspiration, whether it has not been God's economy, and his usual conduct to make his inspiration walk hand in hand with certain means of fact, which men can neither feign in the air without being convicted of falsehood, nor imagine without illusion.
  4. The act of an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect, emotions or creativity.
    She was waiting for inspiration to write a book.
    Usage notes: In this sense, it may be followed by the adposition to in relation to the person being influenced, and for or to in relation to the idea or activity:
    • 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC ↗, page 51 ↗:
      “Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.
    • 2002, Sven Rasegård, Man and Science: A Web of Systems and Social Conventions, page 2:
      And now it is time for problem solving which, if successful, will create new ideas serving as an inspiration source for future research objects of the researcher in question as well as other researchers within the same field.
  5. A person, object, or situation which quickens or stimulates an influence upon the intellect, emotions or creativity.
    The trip was an inspiration to her for writing a book.
    • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC ↗, pages 208–209 ↗:
      She had grown accustomed to look upon Ethel as Walter's passion and inspiration: it was something far off and distant, which even she felt was sacred; but Lady Marchmont was a new rival, and come too actual, and too near.
  6. A new idea, especially one which arises suddenly and is clever or creative.
    • 1895 May 7, H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, “The Inventor”, in The Time Machine: An Invention, New York, N.Y.: Henry Holt and Company, →OCLC ↗, page 21:
      After an interval the Psychologist had an inspiration. "It must have gone into the past if it has gone anywhere," he said.
    • 1916, Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton, chapter 15, in Mrs. Balfame:
      Mrs. Balfame had an inspiration. "My God!" she exclaimed, springing to her feet, "the murderer . . . was hidden in the cellar or attic all night, all the next day! He may be here yet!"
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