perspiration

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Archived revision by Rukhabot (talk | contribs) as of 04:05, 31 October 2019.
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

Etymology

Borrowed from late Middle French perspiration, from perspirer (perspire), from Latin perspirare (to blow or breathe constantly), from per (through) + spirare (to breathe, blow)

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌpɜːspəˈeɪʃn̩/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌpɝspəˈɹeɪʃn̩/
  • Audio (CA):(file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪʃən
  • Hyphenation: per‧spi‧ra‧tion

Noun

perspiration (usually uncountable, plural perspirations)

  1. The action or process of perspiring.
    • 1627, Francis Bacon, Sylva Sylvarum: or, A Naturall Historie, London: W. Lee, Cent. VII, section 680, page 170:
      The Cauſe may be Want of Perſpiration : For Much of the Matter of Haire, in the other Parts of the Body, goeth forth by Inſenſible Perſpiration ; And beſides, the Skull being of a more ſolide Subſtance, nouriſheth and aſſimilateth leſſe, and excerneth more.
  2. (by extension) Hard work.
  3. A saline fluid secreted by the sweat glands; sweat.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations