Select the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence.Quick action kept the disease from permeating the general population.
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A
Conquering
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B
Wounding
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C
Deterring
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D
Infiltrating
To permeate the general population means to infiltrate, to spread throughout and penetrate all areas gradually yet thoroughly.
A) Conquering
Conquest denotes domination through force, military or political subjugation rather than passive diffusion. Diseases permeate without conquering; conquest implies intentional takeover.
B) Wounding
Wounding denotes injury infliction, trauma creation rather than spatial distribution. Permeation may cause wounds but isn't defined by them, mechanism versus outcome distinction.
C) Deterring
Deterring denotes prevention through discouragement, obstruction rather than penetration. Permeation advances; deterrence blocks, fundamentally opposed directional forces.
D) Infiltrating
Infiltrating precisely captures permeation's mechanism: gradual entry and spread throughout a medium until thoroughly distributed. Permeate (per + meare, "to pass through") implies thorough penetration, exactly matching infiltrate's insidious, comprehensive dispersion.
Conclusion
Permeation denotes thorough penetration and distribution, distinct from conquering, wounding, or deterring. Infiltrating alone captures permeation's essential character: gradual yet comprehensive spread throughout a population or medium until saturation occurs.
Topic Flashcards
Click to FlipWhen the smell of fresh coffee spreads to every room in a house, what has it done?
It has permeated the house
In social studies, what verb describes how cultural trends or ideas spread through a society over time?
They permeate the society.
Which word means to pass through and spread within every part of a substance, like water through soil?
To permeate.
A feeling of optimism began to ___________ the team after their first major success.
permeate
What is a key characteristic of something that is described as having a 'pervasive' quality?
It permeates its environment (it is widespread throughout).