penetrative

See also: pénétrative

English

Etymology

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

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