Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Aspire

1. To desire with eagerness; to seek to attain something high or great; to pant; to long; followed by to or after, and rarely by at; as, to aspire to a crown; to aspire after immorality. Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell; Aspiring to be angels, men rebel. (Pope)

2. To rise; to ascend; to tower; to soar. My own breath still foments the fire, Which flames as high as fancy can aspire. (Waller)

Origin: f. Aspirer, L. Aspirare. See aspirate.