I. -rənt adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French penetrant, from Latin penetrant-, penetrans, present participle of penetrare to penetrate
: that penetrates : penetrating
a penetrant wind
a penetrant fumigant
II. noun
( -s )
: one that penetrates or is capable of penetrating: as
a. : a large barbed nematocyst designed to pierce the body of the prey and inject a paralyzing substance
b. : a penetrating agent : a surface-active agent having high penetrating power — compare wetting agent