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  It is a very rare and outdated term which is only used in literary texts.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.

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