The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word AERATOR
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
A
E
R
A
T
O
R
More clues leading to the result AERATOR
- It makes sparkling muse follow a ringleader
- A daughter of Mnemosyne, right one to provide inspiration!
- A muse associated with actor’s last “breathing” system
- A European rodent, or maybe a worm
- It inspires aged sailor to return with gold
- ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles’ like East Ender reportedly not enamoured of hippie musical
- Gas supplier’s list set up over time
- Apparatus providing oxygen in region around high hill
- Lawn tool turning compost next to field
- Exciting device put in pond stirred up area close to hill
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "one to provide inspiration" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one to provide inspiration = aerator.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.