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penetrative. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
penetrative, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
penetrative in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
penetrative you have here. The definition of the word
penetrative will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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English
Etymology
From Middle English penetratyve, penetratif, from Medieval Latin penetrativus, from (the participle stem of) Latin penetrāre (“to penetrate”).
Adjective
penetrative (comparative more penetrative, superlative most penetrative)
- That can or does physically penetrate something; piercing, penetrating.
c. 1606–1607, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, , page 362, column 2:Would'ſt thou be window'd in great Rome, and ſee / Thy Maſter thus with pleacht Armes, bending downe / His corrigible necke, his face ſubdu'de / To penetratiue ſhame […]
1728, James Thomson, “Spring”, in The Seasons, London: A Millar, and sold by Thomas Cadell, , published 1768, →OCLC:[T]he penetrative Sun, / His Force deep-darting to the dark Retreat / Of Vegetation, sets the steaming Power / At large […] .
- Displaying insight or discrimination; acute; penetrating.
- (sports) That can penetrate opposition defences.
- Pertaining to sexual activity involving penetration by the penis.
2013 August 12, Sexual Healing, The Guardian:I've been in a relationship for nearly a year and we have an amazing sex life as is, but we've never managed penetrative sex.
Antonyms
Derived terms
Italian
Adjective
penetrative
- feminine plural of penetrativo