inspiration

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnspɪˈreɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative: Helen had one of her flashes of inspiration the Malvern Hills have provided inspiration for many artists
  • the quality of being inspired: a rare moment of inspiration in an otherwise dull display
  • [count noun] a person or thing that inspires: he is an inspiration to everyone
  • divine influence, especially that supposed to have led to the writing of the Bible.
  • 2a sudden brilliant or timely idea: then I had an inspiration
  • 3 [mass noun] the drawing in of breath; inhalation: crackling sounds are heard in the stethoscope on inspiration

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'divine guidance'): via Old French from late Latin inspiratio(n-), from the verb inspirare (see inspire)