pen·e·tra·li·a

(pĕn′ĭ-trā′lē-ə)

pl.n. 1. The innermost parts of a building, especially the sanctuary of a temple. 2. The most private or secret parts; recesses: the penetralia of the soul.

[Latin penetrālia , from neuter pl. of penetrālis , inner, from penetrāre , to penetrate; see penetrate.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.