perspire
verb (used without object)
to secrete a salty, watery fluid from the sweat glands of the skin, especially when very warm as a result of strenuous exertion; sweat.
were perspiring
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past progressiveof perspire.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
People were perspiring from the heat, but they were filing down calmly.
From Time Magazine Archive
Last July, while St. Louisans were perspiring through one of their hottest recorded summers, the resourceful Post-Dispatch startled them out of their discomfort by beginning a series of sensational registration fraud exposures.
From Time Magazine Archive
But, anyway, the clothes kept us from getting sunburned, and they did help to decrease the rate at which we were perspiring.
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
We had no means of ascertaining the temperature of the sweating-house; but before it was closed, not only those within, but also the spectators without, were perspiring freely.
From Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1819-20-21-22, Volume 1 by Franklin, John
The auxiliary bishop said mass, and his attendant deacons were perspiring under the traditional mantles and chasubles covered with beautiful raised embroidery in high and splendid relief, as stiff and uncomfortable as ancient armour.
From The Shadow of the Cathedral by Gillespie, Mrs. W. A.
