English Explanatory Dictionary

transpire

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To give off (vapour, waste matter etc.); to exhale (an odour etc.).
  2. To perspire.
  3. Of plants, to give off water and waste products through the stomata.
  4. To become known; to escape from secrecy.
  5. To happen, take place.

Pronunciation

/tɹænˈspaɪ̯ə(ɹ)/ /tɹænˈspaɪ̯ɚ/ en-us-transpire.ogg

Word forms

transpire transpires transpiring transpired

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French transpirer, from Medieval Latin transpirare (“to breathe through”), from Latin trans (“across”) spirare (“to breathe”). The sense “to become known” is also present in French, while the sense “to happen” is not; the latter probably developed in English from the former.

Synonyms

sweat come to light emerge develop come about come to pass occur bechance befall belimp betide betime chance crop up evene eventuate go on hap happen hold pass take place tide transpire

Derived words

transpiration
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