meaning of "gouts" in "gouts of sweat"
...what a toil it was to trudge up the slope! What **gouts of sweat** fell from what exhausted temples!

What does "gout" mean in this context? Is this something like a "drop" of sweat?
I don't know how to put this but is this a common vocabulary to go with "liquid"? or to measure(?) sweat? (like you use certain words such as in a "loaf" of bread, a "cup" of coffee...)

Thanks in advance!

Question

meaning of "gouts" in "gouts of sweat"
...what a toil it was to trudge up the slope! What **gouts of sweat** fell from what exhausted temples!

What does "gout" mean in this context? Is this something like a "drop" of sweat?
I don't know how to put this but is this a common vocabulary to go with "liquid"? or to measure(?) sweat? (like you use certain words such as in a "loaf" of bread, a "cup" of coffee...)

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Yes, it means 'drops', but this is not everyday English.  It is a very rare and outdated term which is only used in literary texts.

So, no, it is not a common word at all.  In fact, I would guess that 99% of native speakers have never even heard the word 'gout' being used with this meaning.  Please forget about it.

Answer

Just me, but I wouldn't waste a brain cell learning that vocabulary word.  I suspect it is very old and likely of English (England, UK) origin.  I am over 50 years old, read extensively, and have never heard that word...  In all languages we sometime encounter words that are not useful in this time and place.  I can clearly tell that you understand what it is 'trying' to say...

Answer

I agree.  The meaning is obvious to anyone who knows French.

Answer

It's from the French.  The guy who said it's an "ad-lib word" doesn't know what he's talking about.

Answer

It's called an ad-lib word. So basically you just use a word in place of the word you can't think of but it sounds correct enough for people to get the gist.

Не упустите возможность выучить язык, не выходя из дома. Ознакомьтесь с подборкой опытных преподавателей и запишитесь на свой первый урок прямо сейчас!