What does transude mean?
Transude is a formal verb meaning to seep or pass out gradually, often through pores or small openings in a surface. Its best-known use is in describing sweat emerging through the skin, but it can also refer more generally to moisture, fluids, or even qualities that seem to permeate a barrier. The word has a distinctly technical or literary tone and is less common than exude, seep, or ooze. In construction, transude is generally intransitive: a liquid or other substance does the transuding, rather than an agent performing a deliberate action. For example, one might say that moisture transudes through old masonry or that sweat transudes through clothing. The word derives from Latin, where its components literally convey the idea of sweating through or passing across. Transude is especially useful when the gradual, almost invisible movement of a substance is central to the description.
verbTo pass or seep out gradually, especially through pores or small openings. It may also refer specifically to the process of sweating.
- To sweat or emit moisture through the skin.
- To pass or ooze out gradually through pores, surfaces, or small openings.
"Moisture began to transude through the porous stone wall."
"As the heat intensified, sweat began to transude through his shirt."
"Water continues to transude through the limestone, leaving a faint damp patch on the wall."
Transude literally means “to sweat through,” a fittingly vivid description for moisture gradually passing through the skin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of transude
Transude comes from the Latin verb transudare, formed from trans- meaning “across” and sudare meaning “to sweat.” The English word entered use in the early modern period and preserved the idea of moisture passing outward across a surface. Related English forms such as sudatorium, sudatory, and sudorific trace to the same Latin association with sweating.
Related word forms
How transude is actually used
Transude is formal and relatively uncommon. It is especially associated with the slow passage of moisture or other liquids and can be used literally or figuratively for something that seems to seep through a surface.
Easily confused with transude
Transude means to seep or sweat out, whereas transduce means to transmit or convert energy from one form or location to another.