perspiratory

Perspiratory is an adjective meaning relating to sweating or causing sweat to be released. It is most often used in technical and medical contexts to describe the sweat glands, the process of perspiration, or the body's mechanisms for controlling temperature. In ordinary speech, people usually say sweating, sweat glands, or perspiration instead. The word is especially useful when discussing physiology, heat regulation, exercise, or the side effects of medicines. For example, a description of a drug may mention increased perspiratory activity, while a discussion of extreme heat may refer to the strain placed on the perspiratory system. Although relatively uncommon, perspiratory has a clear technical character and conveys the physiological process more explicitly than the everyday phrase sweating.

Relating to or causing sweating, especially through the sweat glands.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does perspiratory come from?

Perspiratory was formed in the early 19th century from the Latin-derived stem perspirare, meaning “to sweat,” with the suffix -atory. The Latin verb combines per- “through” with spirare “to breathe,” originally referring to the release of moisture through the skin. Its relatives inspire, expire, and aspire also belong to the wider Latin root family associated with spirare, “to breathe.” The English cognate perspire developed from the same Latin verb.

Related word forms

How perspiratory is actually used

This is a formal or technical term, used more often in medicine, biology, and physiology than in everyday conversation.

What's another word for perspiratory?

Words and phrases paired with perspiratory

Rhymes with perspiratory