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.
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.