early 15c., from Late Latin permeabilis "that can be passed through, passable," from Latin permeare "to pass through, go over," from per "through" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward," hence "through") + meare "to pass," from PIE root *mei- (1) "to change, go, move." Related: Permeably.
permafrost
permanence
permanent
permanently
permeability
permeable
permeant
permeate
permeation
Permian
permissible
