permeate
/'pə:mieit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive and intransitive):
- To spread or flow throughout; to pass through every part of something: To diffuse through a substance, area, or group, often gradually and thoroughly.
- To penetrate or saturate: To enter and spread through something, filling its pores or interstices.
Usage
- As a transitive verb, "permeate" takes a direct object (e.g., ).
- As an intransitive verb, it is often followed by a preposition like "through," "into," or "among" (e.g., ).
- It describes a process that is typically passive, gradual, and comprehensive.
Examples
- Transitive use:
- The smell of fresh coffee permeated the entire house.
- A sense of optimism permeates her latest book.
- Intransitive use (with prepositions):
- Water can easily permeate through this fabric.
- New cultural trends slowly permeated into the rural areas.
Advanced Usage
- "to be permeated with/by something": To be thoroughly filled or saturated with a particular quality, feeling, or substance.
- The old letters were permeated with a sense of nostalgia.
- The administration is permeated by corruption.
- Used in scientific or technical contexts to describe diffusion or osmosis.
- The membrane allows certain ions to permeate it.
Variants and Related Words
- Permeation (noun): The process of spreading through or penetrating something.
- The permeation of technology into daily life is rapid.
- Permeable (adjective): Allowing liquids or gases to pass through.
- Sandstone is a permeable rock.
- Impermeable (adjective): Not allowing fluid to pass through.
- The coat is made from an impermeable material.
Synonyms
- Pervade: To spread through and be perceived in every part of something (often abstract, like a feeling).
- Saturate: To soak thoroughly, or to fill completely to capacity.
- Imbue: To inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality.
- Infuse: To fill; to instill (a quality) into something.
Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions
- Permeate through: To spread or pass through a barrier or medium.
- Sunlight permeated through the dense canopy of leaves.
- Permeate into: To spread and enter a place, group, or system.
- Western fashion has permeated into global markets.
Related Idioms / Phrases
- While there are no common idioms using "permeate" as the core word, the concept is often expressed in phrases like:
- To run through: To be present throughout (e.g., A theme of redemption runs through the novel).
- To be steeped in: To be thoroughly permeated with a quality or influence (e.g., The city is steeped in history).
Verb
- penetrate mutually or be interlocked
- The territories of two married people interpenetrate a lot
- pass through
- Water permeates sand easily
- spread or diffuse through
- An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration
- music penetrated the entire building
- His campaign was riddled with accusations and personal attacks