perspire

[ per-spahyuhr ]

verb (used without object)

, per·spired, per·spir·ing.

1. to secrete a salty, watery fluid from the sweat glands of the skin, especially when very warm as a result of strenuous exertion; sweat.

verb (used with object)

, per·spired, per·spir·ing.

1. to emit through pores; exude.

perspire

/ pəˈspaɪə /

verb

1. to secrete or exude (perspiration) through the pores of the skin

Derived Forms

• perˈspiringly, adverb

Other Words From

• per·spira·bili·ty noun
• per·spira·ble adjective
• per·spiring·ly adverb
• per·spiry adjective
• unper·spired adjective
• unper·spiring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perspire¹

1640–50; < Latin perspīrāre to blow constantly (said of the wind), breathe through; in New Latin: to sweat imperceptibly. See per-, inspire

Word History and Origins

Origin of perspire¹

C17: from Latin perspīrāre to blow, from per- (through) + spīrāre to breathe; compare inspire

Example Sentences

You can certainly perspire your way into needing an infusion of these substances.

From Popular-Science

When you perspire, it remains next-to-skin, unable to evaporate.

From Outside Online

The elderly generally don’t sweat or pump blood as efficiently as youngsters can, while children tend to perspire less and have greater surface-to-body-mass ratios.

From Popular-Science

If you don’t want to get sweaty during your workday, simply stop before you perspire, she says.

From Time

I was beginning to perspire; for the first time, I felt a flicker of anxiety.

From The Daily Beast

He had begun to perspire, and he kept running his fingers round his neck between flesh and collar.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Wordsley began to perspire heavily, and the moisture ran down and puddled in his boots.

From Project Gutenberg

He does not so readily perspire excessively as other men, neither is there any want of free and easy perspiration.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a common opinion among the laboring portion of the community, that they who perspire freely, must drink freely.

From Project Gutenberg

The branch continued to "perspire" for two days, but gave off only about half the amount of water transpired by a normal branch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• secrete