pullulate

[ puhl-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, pul·lu·lat·ed, pul·lu·lat·ing.

1. to send forth sprouts, buds, etc.; germinate; sprout.
2. to breed, produce, or create rapidly.
3. to increase rapidly; multiply.
4. to exist abundantly; swarm; teem.
5. to be produced as offspring.

pullulate

/ ˈpʌljʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (of animals, etc) to breed rapidly or abundantly; teem; swarm
2. (of plants or plant parts) to sprout, bud, or germinate

Derived Forms

• ˌpulluˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• pullu·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pullulate¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin pullulāt(us) (past participle of pullulāre “to sprout, bring forth young”), derivative of pullulus “a sprout, nestling, chick,” diminutive of pullus “foal, young of an animal”; pullet

Word History and Origins

Origin of pullulate¹

C17: from Latin pullulāre to sprout, from pullulus a baby animal, from pullus young animal

Example Sentences

The parties too, that already began to pullulate, were not better satisfied with the issue of the Champ de Mai.

From Project Gutenberg

They never pullulate in slums or stagnate in solid rural settlements.

From Project Gutenberg