afflatus

[ uh-fley-tuh s ]

/ əˈfleɪ təs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR afflatus ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

inspiration; an impelling mental force acting from within.

divine communication of knowledge.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of afflatus

1655–65; < Latin afflātus a breathing on, equivalent to af- af- + flā- (stem of flāre to blow²) + -tus suffix of v. action

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for afflatus

The Dial was the original organ of this afflatus, and contains many articles that are edifying to Christians of good digestion.
History of American Socialisms|John Humphrey Noyes
When once she abandoned herself to the afflatus of the dance delirium, she did with her beholders what she would.
Under Two Flags|Ouida [Louise de la Ramee]
It would be impossible to convey any idea of the afflatus which buoyed them up.
Mohun, or, The Last Days of Lee and his Paladins|John Esten Cooke
He appears to be caught so far in the afflatus that he must hear all the prophet has to tell.
The Expositor's Bible:The Book of Numbers|Robert A. Watson

At this point, inspired by the afflatus of a deep and true affection, Philip waxed eloquent.
Nestleton Magna|J. Jackson Wray

British Dictionary definitions for afflatus

afflatus

/ (əˈfleɪtəs) /

noun

an impulse of creative power or inspiration, esp in poetry, considered to be of divine origin (esp in the phrase divine afflatus)

Word Origin for afflatus

C17: Latin, from afflātus, from afflāre to breathe or blow on, from flāre to blow

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for afflatus

afflatus

"miraculous communication of supernatural knowledge," 1660s, from Latin afflatus "a breathing upon, blast," from past participle of afflare "to blow upon," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + flare "to blow" (see blow (v.1)).