penetration

From Middle French pénétration, and its source, Latin penetrātiō, from the participle stem of penetro (“pierce”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɛnɪˈtɹeɪʃ(ə)n/

  Rhymes: -eɪʃən

penetration (countable and uncountable, plural penetrations)

1. The act of penetrating something. [from 15th c.]

   Any penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the offense.

2. Specifically, the insertion of the penis (or similar object) during sexual intercourse. [from 17th c.]
3. The act of penetrating a given situation with the mind or faculties; perception, discernment. [from 17th c.]
   • 1817, Walter Scott, Rob Roy, XVI:

     my observations of her looks and actions became acutely sharpened, and that to a degree which, notwithstanding my efforts to conceal it, could not escape her penetration.

4. (blackjack) A number or fraction that represents how many cards/decks will be dealt before shuffling, in contrast to the total number of cards/decks in play.