How do dictionaries define inspiration?

     Check the Online dictionaries Definitions.

After looking at all the definitions in the dictionaries, I came up with the following basic definitions.

1. The physically act of breathing in or inhaling. The drawing of air into the lungs.
2. A sudden idea.
3. The feeling itself  within the body of elevated energy and enthusiasm
4. The sources of inspiration is also called an inspiration. Someone or something that causes this state.
5. A product of inspiration, such as an idea,  piece of art, an invention, a business,  etc.

Newton sits under the apple tree. An apple falls and hits him on the head. He suddenly becomes excited and full of energy as an idea for the theory of gravity comes to him and he writes it down in his notebook

 In this story, the apple can be called an inspiration since it caused the enthusiasm and the sudden idea.  The sudden idea is an inspiration and so is his state of enthusiasm. Finally his notes are the product of the inspiration and can themselves be called an inspiration.

6. People take part in some endeavor or go in some direction with their lives. Encouragement in this direction from others, is also considered a form of inspiration.

• J likes running, she reads, Runners World magazine, that gives her inspiration to keep running.

• Someone believes in god.. They get inspiration by listening to their preacher talk about god.

• People want to be successful in their lives.  They go and listen to a inspirational speaker that tells them, "you can do it."  They leave, feeling, they can be successful.

• Someone believes in freedom or liberty, they hear a speaker that inspires them to continue fighting for liberty.

• In Rwanda, the radio tells Hutus to kill the Tutsis. The Hutus are inspired to murder.

Defintinon from Bartleby.com, The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

1.

        a. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.

        b. The condition of being so stimulated.

2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.

3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.

4. The quality of inspiring or exalting: a painting full of inspiration.

5. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.

6. The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.

 

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