penetralia

[ pen-i-trey-lee-uh ]

plural noun

1. the innermost parts or recesses of a place or thing.
2. the most private or secret things.

penetralia

/ ˌpɛnɪˈtreɪlɪə /

plural noun

1. the innermost parts
2. secret matters

Derived Forms

• ˌpeneˈtralian, adjective

Other Words From

• pene·trali·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetralia¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin, noun use of neuter plural of penetrālis “inner,” equivalent to penetr(āre) “to penetrate ” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetralia¹

C17: from Latin, from penetrālis inner, from penetrāre to penetrate

Example Sentences

She wants to make me the stepping-stone to social success; she sighs for the purple penetralia of the plutocracy.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet at such an hour it will now be necessary to enter its penetralia.

From Project Gutenberg

He wished to be what he called "safe" with all those whom he had admitted to the penetralia of his house and heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Here lay the penetralia of this domicile, this weak fortification against the world.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw them darting out from the hidden penetralia around, moving swiftly across and sometimes darting in shoals before him.

From Project Gutenberg