penetralia

[ pen-i-trey-lee-uh ]

plural noun

1. the innermost parts or recesses of a place or thing.
2. the most private or secret things.

penetralia

/ ˌpɛnɪˈtreɪlɪə /

plural noun

1. the innermost parts
2. secret matters

Derived Forms

• ˌpeneˈtralian, adjective

Other Word Forms

• pene·trali·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetralia¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin, noun use of neuter plural of penetrālis “inner,” equivalent to penetr(āre) “to penetrate ” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetralia¹

C17: from Latin, from penetrālis inner, from penetrāre to penetrate

Example Sentences

Like Kahn’s buildings, too, Lesser’s book has its penetralia, core elements to which one is only gradually led.

From New York Times

My legation button carried me through the guard, and I found an excellent place under a cardinal's wing, in the penetralia within the railing of the altar.

From Project Gutenberg

From beyond these, from the penetralia of kitchen and pantry, came faint indications of plenty and the spit.

From Project Gutenberg

I hated the sound that saluted me morning, noon, and night; I shrank from it ever unaccustomed, for the penetralia of my brain could never be rendered less susceptible by piercing and searching its recesses.

From Project Gutenberg

He seemed to feel pleasure in the opportunity of baring to the view of a stranger the very penetralia 448of his beautiful abode.

From Project Gutenberg

Quiz

Q: Fill in the blank: "Salchipapas" is a portmanteau of the Spanish words for ______ and ______.

• salt and potatoes
• sausage and French fries
• sardines and French fries

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