perspire
/pəs'paiə/
Definition
- Verb:
- To excrete moisture through the pores of the skin; to sweat. This is a physiological process where the body releases a salty liquid, primarily to regulate temperature.
Usage
- Perspire is a standard, slightly more formal synonym for "sweat." It is often used in general descriptions of the body's natural cooling mechanism.
- It is typically used as an intransitive verb (without a direct object).
- Example:
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Transitive use (rare/archaic): In older or very formal contexts, "perspire" can be used transitively to mean "to exude or give off (moisture)."
- Example (archaic): The walls seemed to perspire dampness in the humid climate.
Variants and Related Words
- Perspiration (noun): The act or process of perspiring; the moisture excreted through the skin.
- Example: Her brow was wet with perspiration.
- Perspiratory (adjective): Relating to or causing perspiration.
- Example: The perspiratory glands are active during exercise.
Synonyms
- Sweat (verb/noun): The most common and direct synonym.
- Exude (verb): To discharge slowly and steadily. (More general, not specific to sweat).
- Glow (verb, informal): Used euphemistically to suggest light perspiration.
- Example: She was glowing after her workout.
Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations
- Perspire profusely / heavily / freely: To sweat a great deal.
- Example: The workers perspired freely under the summer sun.
- Begin to perspire / Start to perspire: Describes the onset of sweating.
- Example: As the interview progressed, he began to perspire.
Related Idioms
- While there are no common idioms using the exact word "perspire," the concept is often expressed idiomatically.
- Break out in a sweat: To suddenly start sweating, often due to fear, anxiety, or heat.
- (Related concept): Just thinking about the exam made him break out in a sweat.
Verb
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excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin
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Exercise makes one sweat
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