pervious

English

Etymology

Latin pervius.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈpɜː.vi.əs/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈpɝ.vi.əs/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)viəs

Adjective

pervious (comparative more pervious, superlative most pervious)

  1. Admitting passage; capable of being penetrated by another body or substance; permeable.
    a pervious soil
    • 1715, [Alexander] Pope, The Temple of Fame: A Vision, London: [] Bernard Lintott [], OCLC 1011870211, page 37:
      Not leſs in Number vvere the ſpacious Doors, / Than Leaves on Trees, or Sands upon the Shores; / VVhich ſtill unfolded ſtand, by Night, by Day, / Pervious to VVinds, and open ev'ry vvay.
  2. Accepting of new ideas.
  3. Capable of being penetrated, or seen through, by physical or mental vision.
    • 1660, Jeremy Taylor, The Worthy Communicant; or a Discourse of the Nature, Effects, and Blessings consequent to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper
      God, whose secrets are pervious to no eye.
  4. (obsolete) Capable of penetrating or pervading.
    • 1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Solomon on the Vanity of the World. A Poem in Three Books.”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: [] Jacob Tonson [], and John Barber [], OCLC 5634253, (please specify the page):
      What is this little , agile , pervious fire [] ?
  5. (zoology) open; perforate, as applied to the nostrils of birds

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