The medical term for profuse sweating or perspiration, especially when caused by illness or medication. It literally means 'carrying through' because sweat carries heat and toxins through and out of the body.
From Greek 'dia' (through, across) + 'pherein' (to carry) + '-osis' (condition), meaning 'carrying through condition.' The term describes the process of carrying moisture and heat through the skin to the surface. It entered medical English through New Latin in the 17th century.
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