pen·e·trate
(pĕńĭ-trāt́)
[Latin penetrāre, penetrāt-, from penitus, deeply.]
verb: -trat·ed, -trat·ing, -trates.
transitive verb
- To enter or force a way into; pierce.
- To enter into and permeate: The insistent rhythm of piano practice penetrated each room of the house.
- To cause to be permeated or diffused; steep.
- To insert the penis into the vagina or anus of.
- To enter (an organization, for example), usually surreptitiously, so as to gain influence or information; infiltrate.
- To enter and gain a share of (a market): penetrated the home-computer market with an affordable new model.
- To grasp the inner significance of; understand.
- To see through: keen eyes that penetrate the darkness.
- To affect deeply, as by piercing the consciousness or emotions.
intransitive verb
- To pierce or enter into something; make a way in or through something.
- To gain admittance or access.
- To gain insight.
derivatives
- peńe·trátor
- noun
