propagate

[ prop-uh-geyt ]
/ ˈprɒp əˌgeɪt /

verb (used with object), prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing.

verb (used without object), prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing.

Origin of propagate

1560–70; < 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 -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM propagate

Example sentences from the Web for propagator

British Dictionary definitions for propagator (1 of 2)

propagator
/ (ˈprɒpəˌɡeɪtə) /

noun

a person or thing that propagates
a shallow box with a heating element and cover used for germinating seeds or rooting cuttings

British Dictionary definitions for propagator (2 of 2)

propagate
/ (ˈprɒpəˌɡeɪt) /

verb

biology to reproduce or cause to reproduce; breed
(tr) horticulture to produce (plants) by layering, grafting, cuttings, etc
(tr) to promulgate; disseminate
physics to move through, cause to move through, or transmit, esp in the form of a wave to propagate sound
(tr) to transmit (characteristics) from one generation to the next

Derived forms of propagate

propagation, noun propagational, adjective propagative, adjective

Word Origin for propagate

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

Medical definitions for propagator

propagate
[ prŏpə-gāt′ ]

v.

To cause an organism to multiply or breed.
To breed offspring.
To transmit characteristics from one generation to another.
To cause to move in some direction or through a medium, such as a wave or nerve impulse.