Word of the Day

: March 10, 2007

transpire

verb tran-SPY-er

What It Means

1 : to give off vaporous material; specifically : to give off or exude watery vapor especially from the surfaces of leaves

2 : to become known or apparent : develop

3 : to take place : go on, occur

transpire in Context

The police are still trying to determine what really transpired on the night of the accident.

Did You Know?

"Transpire" came to life in the late 16th century and was originally used in technical contexts to describe the passage of vapor through the pores of a membrane. From this technical use developed a figurative sense: "to escape from secrecy," or "to become known." That sense was often used in ambiguous contexts and could be taken to mean "happen." (For example, Emily Dickinson wrote in a letter, "I long to see you once more ... to tell you of many things which have transpired since we parted.") Thus the "to take place" sense developed. Around 1870, usage critics began to attack this sense as a misuse, and modern critics occasionally echo that sentiment. But the sense has been common for two centuries and today is found in serious and polished prose.

*Indicates the sense illustrated by the example sentence.