pə(r)ˈspī(ə)r, -īə verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French perspirer, from Middle French, from per- through (from Latin) + -spirer (from Latin spirare to blow, breathe) — more at per- , spirit
intransitive verb
1. : to pass off by evaporation or exhalation especially through the pores of a substance
beads of moisture perspiring through the porous walls of a clay water jug
2. : to emit matter through the skin ; specifically : to secrete and emit perspiration
3. : to expend effort (as in thought) to such a degree as might be expected to cause sweating
transitive verb
1. : to emit, exhale, or evacuate through pores
firs … perspire a fine balsam of turpentine — Tobias Smollett
2. : to emit (a substance) as or in perspiration
whooped and drank and perspired beer — Christopher Isherwood