Prop"a*gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propagated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propagating.] [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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Prop"a*gate, v. i.

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.

 

© Webster 1913.

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