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]