Pen"e*trate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. [Penetrated] (?); p. pr. & vb. n. [Penetrating].] [L. penetratus, p.p. of penetrare to penetrate; akin to penitus inward, inwardly, and perh. to pens with, in the power of, penus store of food, innermost part of a temple.]

1.

To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to effect an entrance into; to pierce; as, light penetrates darkness.

2.

To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to touch with feeling; to make sensible; to move deeply; as, to penetrate one's heart with pity.

Shak.

The translator of Homer should penetrate himself with a sense of the plainness and directness of Homer's style. M. Arnold.

3.

To pierce into by the mind; to arrive at the inner contents or meaning of, as of a mysterious or difficult subject; to comprehend; to understand.

Things which here were too subtile for us to penetrate. Ray.

© [Webster 1913].

Pen"e*trate, v. i.

To pass; to make way; to pierce. Also used figuratively.

Preparing to penetrate to the north and west. J. R. Green.

Born where Heaven's influence scarce can penetrate. Pope.

The sweet of life that penetrates so near. Daniel.

© [Webster 1913].

penetrate (definition)