Locke-inspired
|Locke-in-spired|
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/ˌlɑk ɪnˈspaɪrd/
🇬🇧
/ˌlɒk ɪnˈspaɪəd/
influenced by John Locke
Etymology
'Locke-inspired' originates from modern English, specifically the compound of the proper name 'Locke' (John Locke) and the past-participial adjective 'inspired' (from the verb 'inspire'), where 'Locke' refers to the 17th-century philosopher and 'inspire' ultimately comes from Latin 'inspirare' meaning 'to breathe into'.
'inspire' passed from Latin 'inspirare' to Old French 'inspirer' and Middle English forms before becoming modern English 'inspire'; the surname 'Locke' comes from Old English elements (e.g. 'loc' meaning 'enclosure') and was attached to the philosopher John Locke; the modern compound 'Locke-inspired' developed in English by combining the name with the participle 'inspired' to denote influence.
Initially, 'inspire' had a literal meaning 'to breathe into' in Latin; over time it acquired figurative senses 'to influence' or 'to stimulate', and the compound 'Locke-inspired' now conventionally means 'influenced by Locke's ideas'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
influenced by the political philosophy of John Locke; reflecting Locke's ideas such as individual rights, limited government, and social contract theory.
The new constitution was clearly Locke-inspired, prioritizing individual liberty and checks on government power.
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Adjective 2
generally influenced by John Locke's broader philosophical doctrines (e.g., empiricism, theories of mind and knowledge) rather than specifically political ideas.
Her epistemology course took a Locke-inspired approach, emphasizing experience as the source of ideas.
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Last updated: 2025/11/29 20:36