Verb

(en verb)

To cause (something) to become more glad.

*1798 , William Wordsworth, The Nightingale :

*:A balmy night! and tho' the stars be dim, / Yet let us think upon the vernal showers / That gladden the green earth, and we shall find / A pleasure in the dimness of the stars.

*1838 , Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist :

*:Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature's hand. Alas! How few of Nature's faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

(archaic) To become more glad in one's disposition.

*

*:In May when every lusty heart flourisheth and bourgeoneth, for as the season is lusty to behold and comfortable, so man and woman rejoice and gladden of summer coming with his fresh flowers: for winter with his rough winds and blasts causeth a lusty man and woman to cower and sit fast by the fire.

Verb

(inspir)

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.

* Bible, Wisdom xv. 11

He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul.

* Shakespeare

Dawning day new comfort hath inspired .

* {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April

, author=Anna Lena Phillips , title=Sneaky Silk Moths , volume=100, issue=2, page=172 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.}}

To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens or exalts; to communicate inspiration to.

Elders should inspire children with sentiments of virtue.

* Dryden

Erato, thy poet's mind inspire , / And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.

To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale.

* Harvey

forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty

To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.

(archaic) To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.

* Alexander Pope

Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing, / The breathing instruments inspire .

To spread rumour indirectly.