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.]
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.
2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or
continue forward in space; as, to propagate sound or
light.
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.
The infection was propagated
insensibly.
De Foe.
4. To multiply; to increase. [Obs.]
Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou wilt propagate.
Shak.
5. To generate; to produce.
Motion propagated motion, and life threw off
life.
De Quincey.
Syn. -- To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse;
disseminate; promote.
Prop"a*gate, v. i. To have young or
issue; to be produced or multiplied by generation, or by new shoots or
plants; as, rabbits propagate rapidly.
No need that thou
Should'st propagate, already infinite.
Milton.
