■ noun
1》 moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, especially as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, or anxiety.
2》 informal hard work; laborious effort.
↘a state of anxiety or distress.
3》 ( ~s ) informal, chiefly N. Amer. a ~suit or ~pants.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing ; past and past participle ~ed or N. Amer. ~ )
1》 exude ~.
↘( ~ something out/off ) get rid of something by exuding ~.
2》 exert a great deal of strenuous effort.
↘be in a state of extreme anxiety.
↘ N. Amer. informal worry about.
3》 (of a substance) exude moisture.
4》 cook (chopped vegetables) slowly in a pan with a small amount of fat.
5》 subject (metal) to surface melting, especially to fasten or join by solder without a soldering iron.
Phrases
break ~ (or N. Amer. break a ~ ) informal exert oneself physically.
by the ~ of one's brow by one's own hard labour.
no ~ informal used to convey that one perceives no difficulty or problem with something.
~ blood informal make an extraordinarily strenuous effort.
↘be extremely anxious.
~ bullets N. Amer. informal be extremely anxious or nervous.
~ it out informal endure prolonged heat, exertion, or anxiety.
Origin
OE swāt (n.), swtan (v.), of Gmc origin.