Dictionary entry

Penetration

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Pen″e‐tra′tion (?), n. [L. penetratio: cf. F. pénétration.] 1. The act or process of penetrating, piercing, or entering; also, the act of mentally penetrating into, or comprehending, anything difficult.

And to each in ward part,

With gentle penetration, though unseen,

Shoots invisible virtue even to the deep. Milton.

A penetration into the difficulties of algebra. Watts.

2. Acuteness; insight; sharp discoverment; sagacity; as, a person of singular penetration. Walpole.

Syn. — Discernment; sagacity; acuteness; sharpness; discrimination. See Discernment, and Sagacity.