The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Propagate \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.]
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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.
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2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward
in space; as, to propagate sound or light.
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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.
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The infection was propagated insensibly. --De Foe.
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4. To multiply; to increase. [Obs.]
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Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou wilt propagate. --Shak.
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5. To generate; to produce.
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Motion propagated motion, and life threw off life.
--De Quincey.
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Syn: To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse;
disseminate; promote.
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