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View synonyms for propagate

propagate

[ prop-uh-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing.
  1. to cause (an organism) to multiply by any process of natural reproduction from the parent stock.
  2. to reproduce (itself, its kind, etc.), as an organism does.
  3. to transmit (hereditary features or elements) to, or through, offspring.
  4. to spread (a report, doctrine, practice, etc.) from person to person; disseminate.
  5. to cause to increase in number or amount.
  6. to create (an effect) at a distance, as by electromagnetic waves, compression waves, etc., traveling through space or a physical medium; transmit:

    to propagate sound.

  7. to spread (a disease) from one individual to another:

    Dr. John Atlee believed believed that filthy living conditions probably propagated cholera.

  8. Computers. to cause (an update or other alteration) to take effect throughout a network of devices:

    The active master database replicates updates to the standby master database, which propagates the updates to the subscribers.



verb (used without object)

, prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing.
  1. to multiply by any process of natural reproduction, as organisms; breed.
  2. to increase in extent, as a structural flaw:

    The crack will propagate only to this joint.

  3. (of electromagnetic waves, compression waves, etc.) to travel through space or a physical medium.
  4. Computers. to take effect throughout a network of devices.

propagate

/ ˈprɒpəˌɡeɪt /

verb

  1. biology to reproduce or cause to reproduce; breed
  2. tr horticulture to produce (plants) by layering, grafting, cuttings, etc
  3. tr to promulgate; disseminate
  4. physics to move through, cause to move through, or transmit, esp in the form of a wave

    to propagate sound

  5. tr to transmit (characteristics) from one generation to the next
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌpropaˈgational, adjective
  • ˌpropaˈgation, noun
  • ˈpropagative, adjective
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Other Words From

  • prop·a·ga·tive prop·a·ga·to·ry [prop, -, uh, -g, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
  • prop·a·ga·tor noun
  • non·prop·a·ga·tive adjective
  • self-prop·a·gat·ing adjective
  • un·prop·a·ga·tive adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of propagate1

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin propāgātus (past participle of propāgāre “to reproduce (a plant) by cuttings, spread for sprouting, propagate, enlarge),” equivalent to propāg(ēs) “something set out, scion, slip” ( pro- pro- 1 + pāg-, base of pangere “to fasten” + -ēs noun suffix) + -ātus -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of propagate1

C16: from Latin propāgāre to increase (plants) by cuttings, from propāgēs a cutting, from pangere to fasten
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Example Sentences

He moved to London, to "propagate" his culture and while there met a woman who became a "sister wife", eventually moving in with the couple at their home in Birmingham.

From BBC

What they’re propagating is far more dangerous than the decline of decorum in politics, or the presidential use of swear words formerly associated with truck drivers and sailors.

Unfortunately, prominent politicians are again propagating the inaccurate notion that immigrants disproportionately contribute to crime, especially murder.

The report accuses the government of seeking to propagate its views on the Ukraine conflict among children via the introduction of mandatory school lessons, officially labelled as "important conversations".

From BBC

Their opinions echo a key message being propagated on Chinese state media.

From BBC

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