sweat
1sweat
verb \ˈswet\sweat or sweat·edsweat·ing
Definition of SWEAT
intransitive verb
1
a : to excrete moisture in visible quantities through the openings of the sweat glands : perspire b : to labor or exert oneself so as to cause perspiration
2
3
: to undergo anxiety or mental or emotional distress <sweat through final exams>
4
: to become exuded through pores or a porous surface : ooze
transitive verb
1
: to emit or seem to emit from pores : exude
2
: to manipulate or produce by hard work or drudgery
4
: to make wet with perspiration
5
a : to cause to excrete moisture from the skin b : to drive hard : overwork c : to exact work from at low wages and under unfair or unhealthful conditions d slang : to give the third degree to
6
: to cause to exude or lose moisture; especially : to subject (as tobacco leaves) to fermentation
7
a : to extract something valuable from by unfair or dishonest means : fleece b : to remove particles of metal from (a coin) by abrasion
8
a : to heat (as solder) so as to melt and cause to run especially between surfaces to unite them; also : to unite by such means <sweat a pipe joint> b : to heat so as to extract an easily fusible constituent <sweat bismuth ore> c : to sauté in a covered vessel until natural juices are exuded
9
slang : to worry about <doesn't sweat the small stuff — Barry McDermott>
— sweat blood
: to work or worry intensely <in preparing speeches each sweats blood in his own way — Stewart Cockburn>
Examples of SWEAT
- He sweats a lot when he exercises.
- They sweated and saved so their children could go to college.
- We'll let them sweat a while longer.
- We'll let them sweat it out for a while longer.
- “The car won't start—what are we going to do?” “Don't sweat it. I know all about fixing cars.”
Origin of SWEAT
Middle English sweten, from Old English swǣtan, from swāt sweat; akin to Old High German sweiz sweat, Latin sudare to sweat, Greek hidrōs sweat
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to SWEAT
2sweat
nounDefinition of SWEAT
1
: hard work : drudgery
2
: the fluid excreted from the sweat glands of the skin : perspiration
3
: moisture issuing from or gathering in drops on a surface
5
: a state of anxiety or impatience
6
Examples of SWEAT
- We were drenched in sweat after the workout.
- The runners were dripping with sweat.
- Her forehead was covered with beads of sweat.
- It took a lot of sweat and toil to build the house.
- We helped them not with money but with our blood and sweat.
First Known Use of SWEAT
13th century
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