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Added 9 October 2026

penetrative

adjective

Latin root: penetrativus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. More about penetrative at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions.
an acute observer of politics and politicians
Tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing.
a toxic penetrative spray applied to the surface

Origin

From Middle English penetratyve, penetratif, from Medieval Latin penetrativus, from (the participle stem of) Latin penetrāre (“to penetrate”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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