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Definition of propagative - 5 dictionary results

prop⋅a⋅gate

  [prop-uh-geyt] verb, -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
Use propagative 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 propagative
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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: prop·a·gate
Pronunciation: 'präp-&-"gAt
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -gat·ed; -gat·ing
transitive senses
1 : to cause to continue or increase by sexual or asexual reproduction
2 : to cause to spread or to be transmitted propagateintransitive senses
: to multiply sexually or asexually —prop·a·ga·ble /'präp-&-g&-b&l/ adjective —prop·a·ga·tive /-"gAt-iv/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

propagate prop·a·gate (prŏp'ə-gāt')
v. prop·a·gat·ed, prop·a·gat·ing, prop·a·gates

  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 move in some direction or through a medium, such as a wave or a nerve impulse.

propagative prop·a·ga·tive (prŏp'ə-gā'tĭv)
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or involved in propagation.

  2. Relating to the germ cells of an animal or a plant as distinguished from the somatic cells.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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