Admire, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Admired; p. pr. & vb. n. Admiring.]
Etymology: [F. admirer, fr. L. admirari; ad + mirari to wonder, for smirari, akin to Gr. 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.
Note: Admire followed by the infinitive is obsolete or colloquial; as, I admire to see a man consistent in his conduct.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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Admire, v. i.
To wonder; to marvel; to be affected with surprise; -- sometimes with at. To wonder at Pharaoh, and even admire at myself. Fuller.
Shades of meaning
In the old sense of wonder, admire is practically obsolete; the word now expresses a delight and approval, in which the element of wonder unconsciously mingles. We admire beauty in nature and art, delight in the innocent happiness of children, enjoy books or society, a walk or a dinner. We approve what is excellent, applaud heroic deeds, esteem the good, love our friends. We honor and respect noble character wherever found; we revere and venerate it in the aged. We extol the goodness and adore the majesty and power of God.
Prepositions
Admire at may still very rarely be found in the old sense of wonder at.