perspire
UK/pəˈspaɪə(r)/US/pә'spaiә/
IELTSTOEFLGREC2
Definitions
v.
To give off moisture (sweat) through the pores of the skin.
出汗，流汗。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedper- (through) + spire (breathe) = 'to breathe through' — through the skin. The old idea was that the skin quietly 'breathes out' moisture, so perspire became the polite, formal word for sweating.
Root spir still carries 34 more wordsUsage Guide
perspire is the polite/formal counterpart of sweat — you'd write 'she perspired' in a medical report but say 'I'm sweating' to a friend. Same with the noun: perspiration (formal) vs sweat (everyday).
Example Sentences
- 1.
He began to perspire heavily in the afternoon heat.
- 2.
Athletes perspire to cool their bodies down.