[pen.e.trate] vb -trat.ed ; -trat.ing [L penetratus, pp. of penetrare, fr. penitus deep within, far; akin to L penus provisions] vt (ca. 1530) 1 a: to pass into or through b: to enter by overcoming resistance: pierce c: to gain entrance to
2. a: to see into or through b: to discover the inner contents or meaning of
3: to affect profoundly with feeling
4: to diffuse through or into ~ vi 1 a: to pass, extend, pierce, or diffuse into or through something b: to pierce something with the eye or mind
2: to affect deeply the senses or feelings syn see enter