A language question

[Owenter]

Sitting here alone, Elisabeth - the wife - has gone diving I hurt my back digging a huge tree stump from the garden and instead of twiddling my fingers or trying to make sense of "BBCWorld" I turned to my list of rants against IANTD.

They consistently use the word "inspired" to mean breathed. I understand the guys from over the pond have their own version of the queens english but I can't for the life of me make this work.

Someone please explain to me how you use this word i this context. Please no answers along the lines of "Oh, it's just American English"

[EdHornby]

I agree that it's not brilliant english, but this is my guess - it could well be wrong

the use of inspire means the gas that you transfer across the lungs (inhale), the opposite of expire (to exhale). I guess that they are trying to make the distinction between the gas that you draw into the lung cavity

could be totally up the wrong tree here...

[Owenter]

Now there's a thought, I'll check.

[Owenter]

Nope, read and re-read and it refers to gas breathed into the lungs.

[yazzyfooty]

Originally Posted by Owenter

Nope, read and re-read and it refers to gas breathed into the lungs.

Isnt there some sort of diving equipment called an Inspiration also? Possibly based on the word Inspire?

Inspire to me means motivate. So maybe the inspire you are reading is similiar and it motivates the gas exchanges??

[David G]

If you google "Definition of Inspire" these are some of what you get:

Definition of inspire - WordReference.com Dictionary
inspire - definition of inspire by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

They generally say this:

I have enlarged the appropriate definition.

in·spire (ĭn-spīr')

v., -spired, -spir·ing, -spires.

v.tr.
To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.
To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: hymns that inspire the congregation; an artist who was inspired by Impressionism.

To stimulate to action; motivate: a sales force that was inspired by the prospect of a bonus.
To affect or touch: The falling leaves inspired her with sadness.
To draw forth; elicit or arouse: a teacher who inspired admiration and respect.
To be the cause or source of; bring about: an invention that inspired many imitations.
To draw in (air) by inhaling.
Archaic.
To breathe on.
To breathe life into.
v.intr.
To stimulate energies, ideals, or reverence: a leader who inspires by example.
To inhale.

Hope this helps.

David.

[Letz]

According to "The Free Dictionary" :

in·spire Pronunciation (n-spr)
v. in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires
v.tr.
1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.
2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: hymns that inspire the congregation; an artist who was inspired by Impressionism.
3.
a. To stimulate to action; motivate: a sales force that was inspired by the prospect of a bonus.
b. To affect or touch: The falling leaves inspired her with sadness.
4. To draw forth; elicit or arouse: a teacher who inspired admiration and respect.
5. To be the cause or source of; bring about: an invention that inspired many imitations.
6. To draw in (air) by inhaling.
7. Archaic
a. To breathe on.
b. To breathe life into.
v.intr.
1. To stimulate energies, ideals, or reverence: a leader who inspires by example.
2. To inhale.
[Middle English enspiren, from Old French enspirer, from Latin nsprre : in-, into; see in-2 + sprre, to breathe.]

and yourdictionary.com thesaurus :
inspire
verb

1. To arouse the emotions of; make ardent:

animate, enkindle, fire, impassion, kindle, stir1.
See excite.

2. To raise the spirits of:

animate, buoy (up), elate, elevate, exhilarate, flush, inspirit, lift, uplift.
Obsolete exalt.
See happy.

3. To impart courage, inspiration, and resolution to:

animate, cheer (on), embolden, encourage, inspirit, motivate.
See help.

4. To stir to action or feeling:

egg on, excite, foment, galvanize, goad, impel, incite, inflame, instigate, motivate, move, pique, prick, prod, prompt, propel, provoke, set off, spur, stimulate, touch off, trigger, work up.
See cause, excite.

5. To draw air into the lungs in the process of respiration:

breathe (in), inhale.
See breath.

I hope that's helpful and I'm not just showing you soemthing you've already found

EDIT Whoops, not quick enough

[Owenter]

Well I read what you say and confirms that the word is used in that context but as a born, bred and sparsely educated englishman I have NEVER used the word "inspire" to mean inhale, in fact within IANTD was the first time.

Could also be really cynical and suggest that the source you kindly rooted out on google are somehow influenced by the you know whos.

Anyone wanna direct me to an Oxford Dictionary definition.

I am happy to be proved wrong, well not happy actually but can take it on the chin.

[David G]

Originally Posted by Owenter

Anyone wanna direct me to an Oxford Dictionary definition.

I am happy to be proved wrong, well not happy actually but can take it on the chin.

Sorry:


AskOxford: inspire

inspire

• verb 1 fill with the urge or ability to do or feel something. 2 create (a feeling) in a person. 3 give rise to. 4 inhale.
— DERIVATIVES inspirer noun inspiring adjective.

— ORIGIN Latin inspirare ‘breathe or blow into’.

[yazzyfooty]

Originally Posted by Owenter

Well I read what you say and confirms that the word is used in that context but as a born, bred and sparsely educated englishman I have NEVER used the word "inspire" to mean inhale, in fact within IANTD was the first time.

Could also be really cynical and suggest that the source you kindly rooted out on google are somehow influenced by the you know whos.

Anyone wanna direct me to an Oxford Dictionary definition.

I am happy to be proved wrong, well not happy actually but can take it on the chin.

You dis-believer.............do the replies not inspire you to search for the ODE yourself? Find that motivation lol