Ad*mire", v. i. To wonder; to marvel; to
be affected with surprise; -- sometimes with at.
To wonder at Pharaoh, and even admire at myself.
Fuller.
Ad*mire" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Admired (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Admiring (?).] [F. admirer, fr. L. admirari;
ad + mirari to wonder, for smirari, akin to Gr. ? to
smile, Skr. smi, and E. smile.] 1. To
regard with wonder or astonishment; to view with surprise; to marvel
at. [Archaic]
Examples rather to be admired than imitated.
Fuller.
2. To regard with wonder and delight; to look upon
with an elevated feeling of pleasure, as something which calls out
approbation, esteem, love, or reverence; to estimate or prize highly; as,
to admire a person of high moral worth, to admire a
landscape.
Admired as heroes and as gods obeyed.
Pope.
☞ Admire followed by the infinitive is obsolete or
colloquial; as, I admire to see a man consistent in his conduct.
Syn. -- To esteem; approve; delight in.