penetrative
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See also: pénétrative
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English penetratyve, penetratif, from Medieval Latin penetrativus, from (the participle stem of) Latin penetrāre (“to penetrate”).
Adjective[edit]
penetrative (comparative more penetrative, superlative most penetrative)
- That can or does physically penetrate something; piercing, penetrating. [from 15th c.]
- 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[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 […]
- 1728, James Thomson, “Spring”, in The Seasons, London: [s.n.], published 1730, →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. [from 17th c.]
- (sports) That can penetrate opposition defences. [from 20th c.]
- 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[edit]
Derived terms[edit]
Italian[edit]
Adjective[edit]
penetrative