Penetrant
/ˈpɛnɪtrənt/noun
Able to penetrate or pass into something; a substance designed to do so.
Did you know?Penetrant comes from the Latin verb meaning “to enter deeply,” a root that also produced the English verb “penetrate.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“To pass through, cross, or travel beyond”
Classical Latin
Latin
penetrāre
“To enter deeply or make one’s way into”
Classical Latin
Latin
penetrāns
“Entering or piercing; present participle of penetrāre”
Middle French
French
pénétrant
“Penetrating or entering deeply”
15th Century
English
penetrant
“Penetrating; capable of entering or passing through”
Modern English
English
penetrant
“Able to penetrate, especially used of substances or agents”