Category:Propagate

Prop"a*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propagated; p. pr. & vb. n. Propagating.] Etym: [l. propagatus, p. p. of propagare to propagate, Akin to propages, propago, a layer of a plant, slip, shoot. See pro-, And cf. Pact, prop, prune, v. t.]

1. To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive Production; -- applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a Breed of horses or sheep; to propagate a species of fruit tree.

2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward in Space; as, to propagate sound or light.

3. To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge of; to Originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate; As, to propagate a story or report; to propagate the christian Religion. The infection was propagated insensibly. De foe.

4. To multiply; to increase. [obs.] Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, which thou wilt propagate. Shak.

5. To generate; to produce. Motion propagated motion, and life threw off life. De quincey.

Syn. -- to multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse; disseminate; Promote.

Propagate Prop"a*gate, v. i.

Defn: to have young or issue; to be produced or multiplied by Generation, or by new shoots or plants; as, rabbits propagate Rapidly. No need that thou should'st propagate, already infinite. Milton.