v., -at·ed, -at·ing, -ates. v.tr.
- To spread or flow throughout; pervade: "Our thinking is permeated by our historical myths" (Freeman J. Dyson). See synonyms at charge.
- To pass through the openings or interstices of: liquid permeating a membrane.
To spread through or penetrate something.
[Latin permeāre, permeāt-, to penetrate : per-, through; see per- + meāre, to pass.]
permeant per'me·ant (-ənt) or per'me·a'tive (-ā'tĭv) adj.permeation per'me·a'tion n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
