intransitive verb.
To pass through the openings or interstices of.
intransitive verb.
To spread or flow throughout; pervade: synonym: imbue.
intransitive verb.
To spread through or penetrate something.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
To pass into or through without rupture or displacement of parts; spread through and fill the openings, pores, and interstices of; hence, to saturate; pervade: as, water permeates sand; the air was permeated with smoke.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
transitive verb.
To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; -- applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture.
transitive verb.
To enter and spread through; to pervade.
verb.
To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; -- applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand.
verb.
To enter and spread through; to pervade.
noun.
A watery by-product of milk production.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
verb.
pass through
verb.
penetrate mutually or be interlocked
verb.
spread or diffuse through
Word Usage
"The permeate is processed to remove the lactose, which is used to create ethanol."