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definitions

permeable

[ pur-mee-uh-buh l ]
/ ˈpɜr mi ə bəl /

adjective

capable of being permeated.

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Nearby words

  1. permanganic acid,
  2. permatemp,
  3. permeability,
  4. permeability coefficient,
  5. permeability, magnetic,
  6. permeameter,
  7. permeance,
  8. permeant,
  9. permease,
  10. permeate

Origin of permeable

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin permeābilis, equivalent to permeā(re) to permeate + -bilis -ble
Related formsper·me·a·ble·ness, nounper·me·a·bly, adverbnon·per·me·a·ble, adjectiveun·per·me·a·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for non-permeable

permeable

/ (ˈpɜːmɪəbəl) /

adjective

capable of being permeated, esp by liquids
Derived Formspermeableness, nounpermeably, adverb

Word Origin for permeable

C15: from Late Latin permeābilis, from Latin permeāre to pervade; see permeate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for non-permeable

permeable

adj.

early 15c., from Late Latin permeabilis "that can be passed through, passable," from Latin permeare "to pass through, go over," from per- "through" (see per) + meare "to pass," from PIE root *mei- "to change" (see mutable). Related: Permeably.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for non-permeable

permeable

[ pûr′mē-ə-bəl ]

adj.

That can be permeated or penetrated, especially by liquids or gases.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for non-permeable

permeable

[ pûr′mē-ə-bəl ]

Capable of being passed through or permeated, especially by liquids or gases.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.