/perr"speuh ray"sheuhn/ , n.
1. a salty, watery fluid secreted by the sweat glands of the skin, esp. when very warm as a result of strenuous exertion; sweat.
2. the act or process of perspiring.
[ 1605-15, in sense "a breathing through"; 1620-30 for current senses; perspiration- (s. of perspiratio ) imperceptible sweating, lit., a breathing through. See PERSPIRE, -ATION ]
Syn. 1. 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.