proliferate

[ pruh-lif-uh-reyt ]
/ prəˈlɪf əˌreɪt /

verb (used with or without object), pro·lif·er·at·ed, pro·lif·er·at·ing.

to grow or produce by multiplication of parts, as in budding or cell division, or by procreation.
to increase in number or spread rapidly and often excessively.

Origin of proliferate

First recorded in 1870–75; prolifer(ous) + -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM proliferate

pro·lif·er·a·tive, adjective

Words nearby proliferate

proletarize, proletary, proleukocyte, prolicide, prolidase, proliferate, proliferating endarteritis, proliferating systematized angioendotheliomatosis, proliferation, proliferative, proliferative fasciitis

British Dictionary definitions for proliferative

proliferate
/ (prəˈlɪfəˌreɪt) /

verb

to grow or reproduce (new parts, cells, etc) rapidly
to grow or increase or cause to grow or increase rapidly

Derived forms of proliferate

proliferative, adjective

Word Origin for proliferate

C19: from Medieval Latin prōlifer having offspring, from Latin prōlēs offspring + ferre to bear

Medical definitions for proliferative (1 of 2)

proliferative
[ prə-lĭf′ə-rā′tĭv ]

adj.

Tending to proliferate.

Medical definitions for proliferative (2 of 2)

proliferate
[ prə-lĭf′ə-rāt′ ]

v.

To grow or multiply by rapidly producing new tissue, parts, cells, or offspring.