transitive verb penetrated -·trat′·ed, penetrating -·trat′·ing

1. 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
2. to see into, or into the interior of to penetrate the darkness
3. to have an effect throughout; spread through; permeate
4. to affect or move deeply
5. to grasp mentally; understand

Etymology: < 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