perspiration

[pur-spuh-rey-shuhn]

noun

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

2. the act or process of perspiring.

perspiration

/ ˌpɜːspəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of insensibly eliminating fluid through the pores of the skin, which evaporates immediately

2. the sensible elimination of fluid through the pores of the skin, which is visible as droplets on the skin

3. the salty fluid secreted through the pores of the skin; sweat

Word History and Origins

Origin of perspiration¹

First recorded in 1605–15, in sense “a breathing through”; 1620–30 for current senses; from New Latin perspīrātiōn- (stem of perspīrātiō ) “imperceptible sweating,” literally, “a breathing through.” See perspire, -ation

Synonym Study

Perspiration, sweat refer primarily to moisture exuded by animals and people from the pores of the skin. Perspiration is often regarded as the more polite word, and is often used overfastidiously by those who consider sweat coarse; but sweat is a strong word and in some cases obviously more appropriate: a light perspiration; the sweat of his brow. Sweat is always used when referring to animals or objects: Sweat drips from a horse's flanks. It may also be used metaphorically of objects: Sweat forms on apples after they are gathered.

Example Sentences

He danced with electric energy, sang with heartwarming ardency, and splashed perspiration around the Circle in the Square in “Just in Time,” portraying the 1960s chart-topper and sometime movie star Bobby Darin.

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His face was damp with perspiration, but he showed no sign of barking or howling or scratching.

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The polygraph exam uses a device strapped to a subject’s body to measure physiological responses like heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration as the person answers yes-or-no questions.

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So, does this all really signal the end of the once-widespread taboo about talking about perspiration?

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Against New Zealand, they were heavy on perspiration, but light on inspiration.

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