Perspiration
/ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən/noun
The process of sweating; the release of moisture through the skin.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, sweat was considered a form of spiritual cleansing, connecting the body and soul in rituals of purification.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to go through, to pass, to breathe”
Latin
Latin
perspirare
“to breathe through, to emit moisture through the skin”
Latin
Latin
perspiratio
“the act of breathing out, sweating”
Old French
Old French
perspiracion
“the process of sweating, exhalation of moisture”
Middle English
Middle English
perspiracioun
“the act of sweating or exuding moisture from the body”
Modern English
English
perspiration
“the process of sweating, especially as a bodily function regulating temperature”
Explore more surprising origins