English
Etymology
The noun derives directly from the L. word "afflatus" [which is the past participle of "afflare"], meaning "to blow". It was thought that the gods blew on creative people, who would then inhale the god's breath and have an idea. This is the premise of "inspiration": inhaling divine breath and ideas.
Pronunciation
Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-eɪt�s|-eɪt�s
Noun
afflatus
- A sudden rush of creative impulse or inspiration, often attributed to divine influence.
Quotations
"No man was ever great without a touch of divine afflatus." -Cicero
"The Divine Afflatus", Mencken, H.L.<br>This book was famous for the quote of 'There is always an easy solution to every human problem�neat, plausible, and wrong.' It is a popular quote, appearing in such places as being muttered by Grissom on an episode of CSI entitled 'Chaos Theory'.
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