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

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

From BBC

This was not a bad United display, certainly not their worst in recent times, but all the perspiration expended could not cover up the shortage of inspiration that will be at his disposal.

From BBC

Exhausted, dripping with perspiration, my girlfriend and I came to the end of our shift.

From Salon

Sweating: It can be uncomfortable at best, and embarrassing at worst, depending on your perspiration levels.

From Slate

For those of us not shelling out to alter our sweat glands, we’ll have to accustom ourselves to what the Atlantic’s Katherine J. Wu has called “infinite moistness”: nonstop perspiration clinging to and pouring off our skin—and into the fabric of our clothing, making it necessary to toss it into the wash sooner than we might otherwise.

From Slate