Permeating is typically spelled with three syllables: per-mee-ey-ting. The stress is on the second syllable "mee." The first syllable "per" is pronounced with the short "e" sound, as in "pet." The second syllable "mee" is pronounced with the long "e" sound, as in "meat." The third syllable "ey-ting" is pronounced with the schwa sound for the "e," as in "uh," followed by a clear "t" sound and the "-ing" suffix, pronounced as "ing." The word means to spread throughout or pass through something.
Permeating is an adjective that describes the act or process of spreading or diffusing through an object, substance, or space. It refers to the action of penetrating or passing through something, resulting in the thorough spreading or absorption of a particular substance or quality.
When something is permeating, it signifies that it is entering or spreading throughout an area, item, or individual in a comprehensive and pervasive manner. The process usually involves the efficient movement or transfer of particles, agents, or qualities, allowing them to fill or saturate the surrounding medium.
This term is commonly employed in various contexts, such as describing the movement of a gas or liquid through a permeable membrane, the dispersal of a fragrance in a room, or the diffusion of an idea through a group of people. It implies a deep and thorough infiltration, with the substance or quality becoming integrated or absorbed within the space or material it enters.
In a figurative sense, permeating may refer to the wide, extensive, or all-encompassing influence or impact of something on its surroundings or individuals. For instance, one might say that an artist's creativity permeates their work, meaning that their unique style or inspiration is evident in every aspect of their artistic output.
In summary, permeating refers to the thorough spreading, absorption, or infiltration of a substance or quality through an object, substance, or space, leading to its comprehensive and pervasive presence.
The word "permeating" comes from the Latin word "permeatus", which is the past participle of the verb "permeare". "Permeare" is composed of two Latin elements: "per", meaning "through", and "meare", meaning "to pass or go". Hence, "permeating" carries the meaning of "passing through or penetrating" something.