While it's not as obvious as other prefixes like "un-" or "re-", the "in-" here is a bit of a tricky one. It doesn't directly mean "not" or "again" like in other words. Instead, it acts more like a strengthening prefix, emphasizing the meaning of the root word "spire."
Here's how it works:
* Spire: To breathe, to rise, to ascend
* Inspire: To breathe in (with the implication of also filling with something like life or energy)
So, "inspiring" implies something that breathes life into you, causing you to "rise" or "ascend" in some way.