Search Result for "penetrative": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions;
- Example: "an acute observer of politics and politicians"
- Example: "incisive comments"
- Example: "icy knifelike reasoning"
- Example: "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang"
- Example: "penetrating insight"
- Example: "frequent penetrative observations"
[syn: acute, discriminating, incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrating, penetrative, piercing, sharp]

2. tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing;
- Example: "a toxic penetrative spray applied to the surface"
- Example: "a cold penetrating wind"
- Example: "a penetrating odor"
[syn: penetrative, penetrating]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Penetrative \Pen"e*tra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]n['e]tratif.]
   1. Tending to penetrate; of a penetrating quality; piercing;
      as, the penetrative sun.
      [1913 Webster]

            His look became keen and penetrative. --Hawthorne.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Having the power to affect or impress the mind or heart;
      impressive; as, penetrative shame. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Acute; discerning; sagacious; as, penetrative wisdom. "The
      penetrative eye." --Wordsworth.
      [1913 Webster]

            Led on by skill of penetrative soul.  --Grainger.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

penetrative
    adj 1: having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine
           distinctions; "an acute observer of politics and
           politicians"; "incisive comments"; "icy knifelike
           reasoning"; "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a
           fang"; "penetrating insight"; "frequent penetrative
           observations" [syn: acute, discriminating,
           incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrating,
           penetrative, piercing, sharp]
    2: tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or
       piercing; "a toxic penetrative spray applied to the surface";
       "a cold penetrating wind"; "a penetrating odor" [syn:
       penetrative, penetrating]