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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Inspire, Inspyr(e, v. Also: inspyire. [ME. inspire, ynspyre (1382), L. inspīrāre. Cf. Enspire.]

1. tr. To inspire, in usual senses. c1420 Wynt. v. 688.
Inspyryd off God, ansuere he gat Ib. 4936 (W).
This Sanct Benet … Wes recommendit commonaly For man inspyrit of prophecy a1500 Henr. Fab. 550.
Then said the cok, with sum gude spirit inspyrit, ‘Do my counsall’ c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 247.
God my spreit now inspir & my speche quykkin 1533 Gau 29/2.
All the writ quhilk is inspirit be the Halie Gaist 1549 Compl. 2/30.
He … hes inspirit ȝou to be ane instrament a1585 Maitl. Q. lxvi. 32.
That God wald him inspyire Me to intreit as sould ane trew husband 1596 Dalr. II. 272/4.
Kortill … inspyret with a deuote spirit … paste into Saxonie

b. To influence or infuse as by inspiration. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxvi. 93.
Experience dois me so inspyr Off this fals failȝeand warld I tyre 1513 Doug. i. x. 60.
Than may thou slely thi vennamus ardent fyre Of fraudfull luf amyd hir breste inspyre Ib. viii. iv. 39.
Proces of tyme at last hes ws inspirit And send ws help, as we full lang desyrit

2. a. intr. To breathe or blow. b. tr. To inhale. 1513 Doug. v. xi. 15.
That scho suld go spedely, The prospir wynd gan eftyr hir inspyre Ib. vi. v. 140.
By the hailsum ayr at thou inspiris