The origins of propagate are firmly rooted in the field of horticulture. The word is a 16th century Latin borrowing, ultimately from the verb propagare, which means "to set (onto a plant) a small shoot or twig cut for planting or grafting."
PROPAGATE definition: 1. to produce a new plant using a parent plant: 2. (of a plant or animal) to produce young plants…. Learn more.
If people propagate an idea or piece of information, they spread it and try to make people believe it or support it.
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.
Definition of propagate verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [transitive] propagate something (formal) to spread an idea, a belief or a piece of information among many people. Television advertising propagates a false image of the ideal family.
propagate, v. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary
prop a gate /ˈprɑpəˌgeɪt/ v., -gat ed, -gat ing. Developmental Biology, Genetics to (cause to) multiply or increase by any process of natural reproduction from the parent stock: [~ + object] to propagate seeds; These flowers will propagate themselves. [no object] The insects propagated vigorously.
To propagate is to be fruitful and multiply, by the usual routes of reproduction, or by spreading something around — like a rumor. Propagate comes from the Latin word propagare, which means "to reproduce plants, breed."