impregnate
Definitions
To make a female pregnant; to fertilize
使怀孕，使受精
To soak or saturate something thoroughly with a substance
使浸透，使充满
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedim- (in) + pregn- (from Latin praegnas 'with child,' itself prae- 'before' + a gen- 'birth' element) + -ate. Literally 'to make pregnant.' By extension, to fill something through and through, as if it were 'made pregnant' with a substance: wood impregnated with preservative.
Root gen still carries 140 more wordsWhy It Means This
The hidden gen- in impregnate is the same 'birth' root as in pregnant and gene — praegnas meant 'before birth,' i.e. carrying new life. The chemistry sense (impregnate cloth with oil) is a metaphor: the material is so full it is 'pregnant' with the substance.
Common Collocations
- 1.impregnate with用……浸透
- 2.impregnated fabric浸渍织物
- 3.become impregnated受孕／被浸透
Example Sentences
- 1.
The fabric is impregnated with a water-repellent coating.
- 2.
The story tells of a goddess impregnated by a god.
- 3.
The cores were impregnated with resin to harden them.