"to pass into or through without rupture or displacement," 1650s, from Latin permeatus, past participle of permeare "to pass through," from per "through" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward," hence "through") + meare "to pass," from PIE root *mei- (1) "to change, go, move." Related: Permeated; permeating.
An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration
Water permeates sand easily
permanence
permanent
permeability
permeable
permeant
permeate
permeation
Permian
permissible
permission
permissive
