penetratieve

Penetratieve is a Dutch adjective describing something that relates to penetration or is capable of penetrating. The word is derived from the noun penetratie (penetration) and the verb penetreren, itself from the Latin penetrare. It is used across different domains to indicate entry through a barrier or boundary, or the ability to do so.

In usage, penetratieve appears in various technical and everyday contexts. In sexual education or discourse, it refers to activities involving penetration, for example penetratieve seks, as a category distinct from non-penetrative forms of sexual activity. In medical language, it can describe wounds or injuries caused by objects that enter the body, such as penetratieve verwonding. In physics or radiology, it can describe radiation or imaging that passes through materials, such as penetratieve straling or penetrerende signals.

Usage notes: penetratieve is a neutral, technical descriptor. It functions as an attributive adjective and typically agrees with the noun it modifies (for example penetratieve seks, penetratieve verwonding, penetratieve straling). Related terms include penetratie (penetration) and penetreren (to penetrate); the broader family also includes the adjective penetratief, which appears in some technical registers.