浸
soak; steep; gradually
Meanings
3 senses · 15 examplesverb
to soak; to immerse; to dip
Refers to placing something in a liquid for a period of time, often to soften, clean, or absorb liquid.
He soaked the clothes in water to wash them.
The seeds need to be soaked in water before they can sprout.
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Soak this cloth in the medicinal solution to disinfect it.
Don't soak your feet in the water for too long, or you might get a cramp.
The tea leaves are ready to drink after being steeped in boiling water for a moment.
verb
to seep into; to permeate; to steep
Describes liquid penetrating a material or saturating it thoroughly.
The clothes were soaked through with sweat.
The heavy rain permeated the soil.
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His shirt was soaked through with cold sweat.
Blood soaked through the gauze.
If you're not careful, the ink will seep through to the back of the paper.
adverb
gradually; progressively
literaryLiterary or formal usage. Indicates a slow, gradual process of change.
Friendship gradually grew deeper.
As time passed, this custom gradually permeated the folk culture.
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His knowledge gradually became profound day by day.
This trend gradually became prevalent.
On this ancient land, the influence of history has steeped into the very marrow.