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 Words From

• 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

The main arc of the New Museum show, on view through Jan. 20, is from early assemblages like “Au Naturel” to the distinctive 2010 “Penetralia” series, made with Mr. Simmons, which involves pieces of wood and rock found around their Suffolk house.

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

I think he means that unusual words, such as “Bessarabian” and “penetralia,” tend to place him in an unfamiliar environment, in which his sense of self becomes more vivid.

From The New Yorker

I think he means that unusual words, such as “Bessarabian” and “penetralia,” tend to place him in an unfamiliar environment, in which his sense of self becomes more vivid.

From The New Yorker

It was during this “magical time” that Lucas began to make “Penetralia”: plaster casts of phalluses of varying sizes, sometimes emerging from, morphing into or coexisting with natural forms, like wands or trunks or flints.

From New York Times