The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word INSPIRE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
I
N
S
P
I
R
E
More clues leading to the result INSPIRE
- Where bells may be ringing to raise spirits?
- What you must do before you expire?
- Fire is popular feature of church
- Enthuse one gutted niece holding tears back
- Saint removed from evil church feature in fire
- Where Oxonian may dream and breathe?
- Energise one part of church after end of sermon
- Encourage erection of Ulster steeple
- Popular father retaining power to encourage
- Arouse in father outstanding passion, initially
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Encourage" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case encourage = inspire.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.
What does INSPIRE mean?
INSPIRE verb- To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration.
- To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens or exalts; to communicate inspiration to.
- To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale.
- To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.
- To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.
- To spread rumour indirectly.