infiltrate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause (a liquid) to enter by penetrating the interstices
  2. verb enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members
    penetrate.
    • The student organization was infiltrated by a traitor
  3. verb pass into or through by filtering or permeating
    • the substance infiltrated the material
  4. verb pass through an enemy line; in a military conflict
    pass through.

WordNet

In*fil"trate intransitive verb
Etymology
Pref. in- + filtrate: cf. F, s'infiltrer. Cf. Infilter.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Infiltrated ; present participle & verbal noun Infiltrating
Definitions
  1. To enter by penetrating the pores or interstices of a substance; to filter into or through something.
    The water infiltrates through the porous rock. Addison.
In*fil"trate transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To penetrate gradually; -- sometimes used reflexively. J. S. Mill.

Webster 1913