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Definition of propagating - 2 dictionary results

prop⋅a⋅gate

  [prop-uh-geyt] verb, -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
Use propagating in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to cause (an organism) to multiply by any process of natural reproduction from the parent stock.
2. to reproduce (itself, its kind, etc.), as an organism does.
3. to transmit (hereditary features or elements) to, or through, offspring.
4. to spread (a report, doctrine, practice, etc.) from person to person; disseminate.
5. to cause to increase in number or amount.
6. to create (an effect) at a distance, as by electromagnetic waves, compression waves, etc., traveling through space or a physical medium; transmit: to propagate sound.
–verb (used without object)
7. to multiply by any process of natural reproduction, as organisms; breed.
8. to increase in extent, as a structural flaw: The crack will propagate only to this joint.
9. (of electromagnetic waves, compression waves, etc.) to travel through space or a physical medium.
Origin:
1560–70; < L propāgātus (ptp. of propāgāre to reproduce (a plant) by cuttings, spread for sprouting, propagate, enlarge), equiv. to propāg(ēs) something set out, scion, slip (pro- pro- 1 + pāg-, base of pangere to fasten + -ēs n. suffix) + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
prop⋅a⋅ga⋅tive, prop⋅a⋅ga⋅to⋅ry  [prop-uh-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
prop⋅a⋅ga⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To propagating
prop·a·gate   (prŏp'ə-gāt')   
v.   prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing, prop·a·gates

v.   tr.
  1. To cause (an organism) to multiply or breed.
  2. To breed (offspring).
  3. To transmit (characteristics) from one generation to another.
  4. To cause to extend to a broader area or larger number; spread: missionaries who propagate the faith.
  5. To make widely known; publicize: propagate a rumor.
  6. Physics To cause (a wave, for example) to move in some direction or through a medium; transmit.
v.   intr.
  1. To have offspring; multiply.
  2. To extend to a broader area or larger number; spread.
  3. Physics To move through a medium.

[Latin prōpāgāre, prōpāgāt-; see pag- in Indo-European roots.]
prop'a·ga·ble (-gə-bəl) adj., prop'a·ga'tive adj., prop'a·ga'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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