Per"me*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Permeated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Permeating.] [L. permeatus, p.p. of permeare to permeate; per + meare to go, pass.]
1.
To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; -- applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand.
Woodward.
2.
To enter and spread through; to pervade.
God was conceived to be diffused throughout the whole world, to permeate and pervade all things.
Cudworth.
© Webster 1913.