Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PEN'E-TRA-TIVE, a.

1. Piercing; sharp; subtil. Let not air be too gross nor too penetrative. – Wotton.
2. Acute; sagacious; discerning; as, penetrative wisdom. – Swift.
3. Having the power to affect or impress the mind; as, penetrative shame. – Shak.