The question had the effect of reinflation, but at last the child itself was brought, and it was open-eyed.
mid-14c., "swelling caused by gathering of 'wind' in the body; flatulence;" figuratively, "outbursts of pride," from Latin inflationem (nominative inflatio) "a puffing up; flatulence," noun of action from past participle stem of inflare "blow into, puff up," from in- "into" (see in- (2)) + flare "to blow" (see blow (v.1)). Monetary sense of "enlargement of prices" (originally by an increase in the amount of money in circulation) first recorded 1838 in American English.
inflation in·fla·tion (ĭn-flā'shən)
n.
Distention with a fluid or gas.
The act of distending an organ or body part with a fluid or gas.
A general increase in prices.
