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Webster 1913 Edition

Propagate

Prop′a-gate

,
Verb.
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
,
Verb.
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
.
Shakespeare
5.
To generate; to produce.
Motion
propagated
motion, and life threw off life.
De Quincey.
Syn. – To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse; disseminate; promote.

Prop′a-gate

,
Verb.
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 1828 Edition

Propagate

PROP'AGATE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. propago. See Prop. The Latin noun propago, is the English prop, and the termination ago, as in cartilago, &c. The sense of the noun is that which is set or thrust in.]
1.
To continue or multiply the kind by generation or successive production; applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate any species of fruit tree.
2.
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; to give birth to, or originate and spread; as, to propagate a story or report.
4.
To carry from place to place; to extend by planting and establishing in places before destitute; as, to propagate the christian religion.
5.
To extend; to increase.
Griefs of my own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou wilt propagate.
6.
To generate; to produce.
Superstitious notions, propagated in fancy, are hardly ever totally eradicated.

PROP'AGATE

,
Verb.
I.
To have young or issue; to be produced or multiplied by generation, or by new shoots or plants. Wild horses propagate in the forests of S. America.

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