penetrating

/ˈpɛnɪtɹeɪtɪŋ/

verb

  1. 1

    To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to pierce.

    Light penetrates darkness.
  2. 2

    To achieve understanding of, despite some obstacle; to comprehend; to understand.

    I could not penetrate Burke's opaque rhetoric.
  3. 3

    To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to move deeply.

    to penetrate one's heart with pity
  4. 4

    To infiltrate an enemy to gather intelligence.

  5. 5

    To insert the penis into an opening, such as a vagina or anus.

    a male elephant comes up and penetrates the female elephant
  6. 6

    To move a piece past the defending pieces of one's opponent.

adjective

  1. 1

    Able to pierce or penetrate

    The skunk produces a penetrating odor.
  2. 2

    Demonstrating acute or keen understanding

    His novel shows a penetrating insight into the criminal mind.

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