propagate

views updated

prop·a·gate / ˈpräpəˌgāt/ • v. [tr.] 1. breed specimens of (a plant, animal, etc.) by natural processes from the parent stock: try propagating your own houseplants from cuttings. ∎  [intr.] (of a plant, animal, etc.) reproduce in such a way: the plant propagates freely from stem cuttings. ∎  cause (something) to increase in number or amount: operational error includes those errors propagated during the digitizing process.2. spread and promote (an idea, theory, knowledge, etc.) widely: the French propagated the idea that the English were violent and gluttonous drunkards.3. [tr.] transmit (motion, light, sound, etc.) in a particular direction or through a medium: electromagnetic effects can be propagated at a finite velocity only through material substances| [as adj.] (propagated) a propagated electrical signal. ∎  [intr.] (of motion, light, sound, etc.) be transmitted or travel in such a way: a hydraulic fracture is generally expected to propagate in a vertical plane.DERIVATIVES: prop·a·ga·tion / ˌpräpəˈgāshən/ n.prop·a·ga·tive / -ˌgātiv/ adj.prop·a·ga·tor / -ˌgātər/ n.