penetrate
[ pen-i-treyt ]
/ ˈpɛn ɪˌtreɪt /
verb (used with object), pen·e·trat·ed, pen·e·trat·ing.
verb (used without object), pen·e·trat·ed, pen·e·trat·ing.
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Origin of penetrate
synonym study for penetrate
1. See pierce.
OTHER WORDS FROM penetrate
pen·e·tra·tor, nounpre·pen·e·trate, verb (used with object), pre·pen·e·trat·ed, pre·pen·e·trat·ing.un·pen·e·trat·ed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for penetrate
penetrate
/ (ˈpɛnɪˌtreɪt) /
verb
to find or force a way into or through (something); pierce; enter
to diffuse through (a substance); permeate
(tr) to see throughtheir eyes could not penetrate the fog
(tr) (of a man) to insert the penis into the vagina of (a woman)
(tr) to grasp the meaning of (a principle, etc)
(intr) to be understoodhis face lit up as the new idea penetrated
Derived forms of penetrate
Word Origin for penetrate
C16: from Latin penetrāre; related to penitus inner, and penus the interior of a house
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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