What does the prefix "per-" signify?

The prefix "per-" signifies the meaning of "through," indicating movement or action that goes all the way through something. This prefix is commonly used in various medical terms and other English words to convey concepts of penetrative or thorough action, such as in the word "permeate," which means to spread throughout something.

The other prefixes do not convey the same meaning. For example, the prefix associated with "over" indicates excess or superiority, while "under" implies insufficiency or being below a certain level. The prefix meaning "before" generally refers to something that precedes or comes earlier than another. Thus, "per-" specifically relates to the idea of going through or completing a process fully.