Webster's 1913 (original) (raw)

In`spi*ra"tion (?), n. [F.inspiration, L. inspiratio. See Inspire.]

1. The act of inspiring or breathing in; breath; specif. (Physiol.), the drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm; -- the opposite of_expiration_.

2. The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the_inspiration_ of occasion, of art, etc.

Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations.

Shak.

3. (Theol.) 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 men to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

2 Tim. iii. 16.

The age which we now live in is not an age of_inspiration_ and impulses.

Sharp.

Plenary inspiration (Theol.), that kind of inspiration which excludes all defect in the utterance of the inspired message. -- Verbal inspiration (Theol.), that kind of inspiration which extends to the very words and forms of expression of the divine message.