To breathe or blow upon something; to inspire or animate someone with an idea or feeling.
From Latin afflatus, past participle of afflare (ad- 'to' + flare 'to blow'). Used in English from the 17th century, often in poetic or spiritual contexts referring to divine inspiration.
This word captures the original meaning of 'inspiration'—literally a god or muse breathing ideas into a poet's mind. Even 'Spirit' comes from Latin spiritus ('breath'), so breath and thought are ancient metaphorical twins.
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