Meaning of PENETRATIVE
| Pronunciation: | | 'peni`treytiv
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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- [adj] tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing; "a toxic penetrative spray applied to the surface"; "a cold penetrating wind"; "a penetrating odor"
- [adj] having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions; "an acute observer of politics and politicians"; "incisive comments"; "icy knifelike reasoning"; "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang"; "penetrating insight"; "frequent penetrative observations"
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| | Synonyms: | | acute, discriminating, incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrating, perceptive, piercing, sharp |
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| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | \Pen"e*tra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]n['e]tratif.]
1. Tending to penetrate; of a penetrating quality; piercing;
as, the penetrative sun.
His look became keen and penetrative. --Hawthorne.
2. Having the power to affect or impress the mind or heart;
impressive; as, penetrative shame. --Shak.
3. Acute; discerning; sagacious; as, penetrative wisdom.
``The penetrative eye.'' --Wordsworth.
Led on by skill of penetrative soul. --Grainger.
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