transpire

[ tran-spahyuhr ]

verb (used without object)

, tran·spired, tran·spir·ing.

1. to occur; happen; take place.
2. to emit or give off waste matter, watery vapor, etc., through the surface, as of the body or of leaves.
3. to escape, as moisture or odor, through or as if through pores.
4. to be revealed or become known.

verb (used with object)

, tran·spired, tran·spir·ing.

1. to emit or give off (waste matter, watery vapor, an odor, etc.) through the surface, as of the body or of leaves.

transpire

/ ˌtrænspəˈreɪʃən; trænˈspaɪə /

verb

1. intr to come to light; be known
2. informal.
   intr to happen or occur
3. physiol to give off or exhale (water or vapour) through the skin, a mucous membrane, etc
4. (of plants) to lose (water in the form of water vapour), esp through the stomata of the leaves

Usage

It is often maintained that transpire should not be used to mean happen or occur, as in the event transpired late in the evening , and that the word is properly used to mean become known, as in it transpired later that the thief had been caught . The word is, however, widely used in the former sense, esp in spoken English

Derived Forms

• transpiration, noun
• tranˈspiratory, adjective
• tranˈspirable, adjective

Other Words From

• tran·spir·a·ble adjective
• tran·spir·a·to·ry [tran-, spahyr, -, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• un·tran·spir·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transpire¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French transpirer, from Medieval Latin trānspīrāre, equivalent to Latin trāns- trans- + spīrāre “to breathe”

Word History and Origins

Origin of transpire¹

C16: from Medieval Latin transpīrāre , from Latin trans- + spīrāre to breathe

Example Sentences

In the first big taste of what's to come from the pop star's seventh album, Gaga puts herself on blast in the video for the first single, where terrible things transpire in what would otherwise appear to be a sleepy suburb stalked by one version of herself with bloodshot eyes that could really use an ointment of some sort.

From Salon

And if it does transpire, Mr Macpherson adds the effect on the UK would be minimal, given that most of Europe's gas is supplied mainly from Norway.

From BBC

“We have no idea what will transpire. Usually we start jamming, and then an unexpected moment takes place. When that happens, you better press the Record button, because that moment of inspiration will fade away just as swiftly as it arrived. Next thing you know we’re sitting here talking about the experience, and you don’t really remember how it all happened.”

From Los Angeles Times

While it's not yet fully known how Daemon will use Helaena's guidance, the convergence of these three characters adds additional weight to the idea that the baseborn healer and the neglected queen, two women separated by status and distance, have a hand behind much that will transpire from now until the dragons stop dancing.

From Salon

On Friday, the U.S.’ breaking hopefuls make their bow at Paris’ open-air Place de la Concorde venue, and though gold medals and exposure are the goals, “representing” is an even bigger part of what will transpire on stage.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arise
• befall
• ensue