v.
- go into or through, especially with force.
▸(of a man) insert the penis into the vagina or anus of (a sexual partner).
- infiltrate (an organization, competitor's market, etc.).
- understand or gain insight into (something complex or mysterious).
-
[as adj. penetrating]
(of a sound) clearly heard through or above other sounds.
Derivative
- penetrability n.
- penetrable adj.
- penetratingly adv.
- penetrator n.
Etymology
C16 (earlier (ME) as penetration): from L. penetrat-, penetrare ‘go into’.