penetrative

See also: pénétrative

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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Adjective

penetrative (comparative more penetrative, superlative most penetrative)

1. That can or does physically penetrate something; piercing, penetrating. [from 15th c.]
   • c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene xiv], 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 […]

   • a. 1749 (date written), James Thomson, “Spring”, in The Seasons, London: […] A[ndrew] 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 […] .

2. Displaying insight or discrimination; acute; penetrating. [from 17th c.]
3. (sports) That can penetrate opposition defences. [from 20th c.]
4. Pertaining to sexual activity involving penetration by the penis. [from 20th c.]
   • 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

• unpenetrative

Derived terms

• penetrative sex

 

Italian

Adjective

penetrative

1. feminine plural of penetrativo