n.
- moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, especially as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, or anxiety.
- informal hard work; laborious effort.
▸a state of anxiety or distress.
-
(sweats)
informal, chiefly N. Amer. a sweatsuit or sweatpants.
v.
(sweats, sweating; past and past part. sweated or N. Amer. sweat)
- exude sweat.
▸
(sweat something out/off)
get rid of something by exuding sweat.
- exert a great deal of strenuous effort.
▸be in a state of extreme anxiety.
▸N. Amer. informal worry about.
- (of a substance) exude moisture.
- cook (chopped vegetables) slowly in a pan with a small amount of fat.
- subject (metal) to surface melting, especially to fasten or join by solder without a soldering iron.
Phrase
- break sweat
(or N. Amer. break a sweat)
informal exert oneself physically. - by the sweat of one's brow
by one's own hard labour. - no sweat
informal used to convey that one perceives no difficulty or problem with something. - sweat blood
informal make an extraordinarily strenuous effort. ▸be extremely anxious.
- sweat bullets
N. Amer. informal be extremely anxious or nervous. - sweat it out
informal endure prolonged heat, exertion, or anxiety.
Etymology
OE swāt (n.), swætan (v.), of Gmc origin.