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Definition of permeate - 4 dictionary results

per⋅me⋅ate

  [pur-mee-eyt] verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
Use permeate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to pass into or through every part of: Bright sunshine permeated the room.
2. to penetrate through the pores, interstices, etc., of.
3. to be diffused through; pervade; saturate: Cynicism permeated his report.
–verb (used without object)
4. to become diffused; penetrate.
Origin:
1650–60; < L permeātus ptp. of permeāre to pass through. See per-, meatus

Related forms:
per⋅me⋅a⋅tion, noun
per⋅me⋅a⋅tive, adjective
per⋅me⋅a⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To permeate
per·me·ate   (pûr'mē-āt')   
v.   per·me·at·ed, per·me·at·ing, per·me·ates

v.   tr.

  1. To spread or flow throughout; pervade: "Our thinking is permeated by our historical myths" (Freeman J. Dyson). See Synonyms at charge.

  2. To pass through the openings or interstices of: liquid permeating a membrane.

v.   intr.
To spread through or penetrate something.

[Latin permeāre, permeāt-, to penetrate : per-, through; see per- + meāre, to pass; see mei-1 in Indo-European roots.]
per'me·ant (-ənt), per'me·a'tive (-ā'tĭv) adj., per'me·a'tion n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: per·me·ate
Pronunciation: 'p&r-mE-"At
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -at·ed; -at·ing
intransitivesenses
: to diffuse through or penetrate something permeate transitive senses
: to pass through the pores or interstices of
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

permeate per·me·ate (pûr'mē-āt')
v. per·me·at·ed, per·me·at·ing, per·me·ates

  1. To spread or flow throughout; pervade.

  2. To pass through the openings or interstices of, as a liquid through a membrane.

n. (-ĭt, -āt')
One that can permeate.
per'me·ant (-ənt) or per'me·a'tive (-ā'tĭv) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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