Unperspiring

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Not producing or emitting sweat; not showing signs of exertion or stress; lacking moisture or dampness due to perspiration
2. Characterized by an absence of sweat secretion; appearing calm without physical effort; dry and not moist from bodily fluid release
3. Describing a state with no sweating; exhibiting no visible signs of strain or laborious activity; remaining unaffected by sweat formation or dampness

Etymology: "Unperspiring" is simply the English adjective "perspiring" with the negating prefix "un-" attached. "Perspiring" itself comes from Latin "perspirare," built from "per," meaning "through," and "spirare," meaning "to breathe," so the original image is of breath or vapour passing through the skin. English took "perspire" for sweating, and the un- form followed the same pattern as countless other adjectives in which un- is added to a participle to mean "not" or "lacking." The formation is transparent, so the word has no single coiner or memorable episode to report. Its meaning follows directly from its parts: a body, or a surface, that is not sweating. Because the base word has been in English for several centuries, the negative form is an ordinary extension rather than a separate invention.

Synonyms: non-sweating, dry

Antonyms: perspiring, sweating, moist