ˈpenɪtreɪt v. 1 tr. a
find access into or
through,
esp. forcibly. b (usu. foll. by with)
imbue (a
person or thing)
with;
permeate. 2 tr. see into, find
out, or
discern (a person's
mind,
the truth, a
meaning, etc.). 3 tr. see through (darkness, fog, etc.) (could
not penetrate the gloom). 4 intr. be
absorbed by the mind (my
hint did not penetrate). 5 tr. (as penetrating adj.) a having or suggesting
sensitivity or
insight (a penetrating remark). b (of a
voice etc.)
easily heard through or
above other sounds; piercing. 6 tr. (of a man) put the
penis into the
vagina of (a woman). 7 intr. (usu. foll. by into, through, to)
make a
way. øøpenetrable adj. penetrability n. penetrant adj. & n. penetratingly adv. penetration n. penetrative adj. penetrator n. [L penetrare
place or
enter within f. penitus interior]