permeate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb spread or diffuse through
    riddle; interpenetrate; pervade; penetrate; diffuse; imbue.
    • An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration
    • music penetrated the entire building
    • His campaign was riddled with accusations and personal attacks
  2. verb pass through
    filter; sink in; percolate.
    • Water permeates sand easily
  3. verb penetrate mutually or be interlocked
    interpenetrate.
    • The territories of two married people interpenetrate a lot

WordNet

Per"me*ate transitive verb
Etymology
L. permeatus, p.p. of permeare to permeate; per + meare to go, pass.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Permeated ; present participle & verbal noun Permeating
Definitions
  1. To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; -- applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand. Woodward.
  2. To enter and spread through; to pervade.
    God was conceived to be diffused throughout the whole world, to permeate and pervade all things. Cudworth.

Webster 1913