penetrate

To penetrate is to pass into or through something.

(verb)

An example of penetrate is when you force your way into a secured zone and successfully gain entry.

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See penetrate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb penetrated, penetrating

    1. to pass into; find or force a way into or through; enter by or as by piercing
    2. to insert the penis into (the vagina or anus) of
  1. to see into, or into the interior of: to penetrate the darkness
  2. to have an effect throughout; spread through; permeate
  3. to affect or move deeply
  4. to grasp mentally; understand

Origin: < L penetratus, pp. of penetrare, to pierce into, penetrate < base of penitus, inward, far within (< penus, store of food, storeroom, sanctuary of temple of Vesta < IE base *pen-, to feed, food) + (in)trare, enter

intransitive verb

  1. to make a way into or through something; pierce
  2. to have a marked effect on the mind or emotions

See penetrate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb pen·e·trat·ed, pen·e·trat·ing, pen·e·trates
verb, transitive
  1. To enter or force a way into; pierce.
  2. a. To enter into and permeate: The insistent rhythm of piano practice penetrated each room of the house.
    b. To cause to be permeated or diffused; steep.
  3. To insert the penis into the vagina or anus of.
  4. To enter (an organization, for example), usually surreptitiously, so as to gain influence or information; infiltrate.
  5. To enter and gain a share of (a market): penetrated the home-computer market with an affordable new model.
  6. To grasp the inner significance of; understand.
  7. To see through: keen eyes that penetrate the darkness.
  8. To affect deeply, as by piercing the consciousness or emotions.
verb, intransitive
  1. To pierce or enter into something; make a way in or through something.
  2. To gain admittance or access.
  3. To gain insight.

Origin:

Origin: Latin penetrāre, penetrāt-

Origin: , from penitus, deeply

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Related Forms:

  • penˈe·traˌtor noun

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