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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Permeate: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：spread through (permeate)

permeate 🔊

/ˈpɜːrmieɪt/

When a liquid or gas slowly spreads and passes through something.

spread through 🔊

➕

/spred θruː/

To gradually spread or pass through something, especially a liquid or gas.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'permeare' (per- through + meare to go), meaning to pass through.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of PERfume MEAting through air – permeate means to spread through.

📖 Example

After the rain, the sweet smell of wet earth began to permeate the entire garden. 🔊 After the rain, the sweet smell of wet earth began to spread through the entire garden.

🔗 Collocations

permeate through – to spread or pass through something

permeate the atmosphere – to fill the air or environment

permeate a barrier – to pass through a protective layer

🔄 Synonyms

infiltrate (v.) – to enter or spread through something secretly or gradually

pervade (v.) – to spread through and be present in every part of something

saturate (v.) – to fill something completely so that no more can be absorbed

🚫 Antonyms

block (v.) – to prevent movement or passage through something

seal (v.) – to close something tightly to prevent entry or escape

contain (v.) – to keep something within limits; prevent from spreading

🌱 Derivatives

permeation (n.) – the process of spreading or passing through

permeable (adj.) – allowing liquids or gases to pass through

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'permeare', meaning 'to pass through'. Commonly used in scientific contexts for diffusion and metaphorically for ideas spreading in social settings.

Meaning 2：spread widely (permeate)

permeate 🔊

/ˈpɜːrmieɪt/

When a feeling, idea, or atmosphere spreads widely among people or in a place.

Permeate meaning shown as positive atmosphere spreading through a collaborative workspace.

spread widely 🔊

➕

/spred ˈwaɪdli/

To spread or be present throughout a group, place, or situation, especially feelings, ideas, or atmospheres.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

A sense of optimism about the future permeated the team after they won the important competition. 🔊 A sense of optimism about the future spread through the team after they won the important competition.

🔗 Collocations

permeate the culture – to become widespread in the customs and beliefs of a group

permeate society – to spread throughout all levels of social structure

permeate discussions – to be present in conversations or debates

🔄 Synonyms

pervade (v.) – to spread through and be noticeable in every part

imbue (v.) – to fill or inspire with a feeling or quality

suffuse (v.) – to spread over or through something, especially a light, color, or feeling

🚫 Antonyms

confine (v.) – to keep within limits; prevent from spreading

restrict (v.) – to limit the movement or spread of something

isolate (v.) – to separate from others; prevent interaction

🌱 Derivatives

permeation (n.) – the process of spreading or passing through

permeable (adj.) – allowing liquids or gases to pass through