propagate
propagate
Pronunciation
Here's the IPA phonetic spelling of "propagate" for General American English, broken down by syllable:
ˈprɒpəˌɡeɪt
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First syllable (ˈprɒp):
ˈ: Primary stress on the first vowel sound.
p: Voiceless bilabial plosive (similar to "p" in "pie").
ɒ: Short open back rounded vowel (similar to "o" in "cot").
Second syllable (ə):
ə: Schwa, a mid central vowel sound (a neutral vowel sound).
Third syllable (ˌɡeɪ):
ˌ: Secondary stress on the first vowel sound.
ɡ: Voiced velar plosive (similar to "g" in "go").
eɪ: Long close front diphthong (similar to "ay" in "say").
Fourth syllable (t):
t: Voiceless alveolar plosive (similar to "t" in "stop").
Word Form Variations
"Propagate" itself is already the base verb form. Here are the other word forms you might find related to "propagate":
Present participle: propagating (used for ongoing actions, e.g., "The scientist is propagating the virus in a lab")
Past tense: propagated (used for completed actions, e.g., "The rumor quickly propagated throughout the town")
Past participle: propagated (same form as past tense, used in verb tenses like perfect and passive voice, e.g., "The company has propagated this technology for decades")
Noun: propagation (the act or process of propagating, e.g., "The propagation of sound waves")
Adjective:
Propagational (related to the act of propagating, e.g., "propagational delays in a network")
Propagative (having the ability to propagate, e.g., "propagative plant structures like runners")
Less common:
Propagator (a person or thing that propagates something, e.g., "a plant propagator")
Non-propagative (not capable of propagating, e.g., "non-propagative diseases")
Self-propagating (capable of propagating without external influence, e.g., "self-propagating rumours")
Unpropagated (not spread or propagated, e.g., "unpropagated changes in a computer system")
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Verb:
Definition:
To cause (a living thing) to reproduce and increase in number. (synonyms: reproduce, breed, multiply) (antonyms: die out, become extinct)
To spread (an idea, belief, or rumour) from one person or place to another. (synonyms: disseminate, spread, circulate) (antonyms: suppress, withhold)
To transmit (waves, signals, or energy) through a medium. (synonyms: transmit, carry, conduct) (antonyms: attenuate, block)
Noun:
Definition:
The process of causing a living thing to reproduce and increase in number. (synonyms: reproduction, breeding, multiplication)
The spreading of an idea, belief, or rumour from one person or place to another. (synonyms: dissemination, spread, circulation)
The transmission of waves, signals, or energy through a medium. (synonyms: transmission, conduction)
Adjective (less common):
Definition:
Having the ability to reproduce or spread. (synonyms: reproductive, breeding) (antonyms: sterile, barren)
Related to the process of propagation. (synonyms: propagational)
Other forms (less common):
Propagator (noun): A person or thing that propagates something. (synonyms: breeder, disseminator)
Non-propagative (adjective): Not capable of propagating. (synonyms: sterile, barren) (antonyms: propagative)
Self-propagating (adjective): Capable of propagating without external influence. (synonyms: autonomous, self-perpetuating)
Unpropagated (adjective): Not spread or propagated. (synonyms: untransmitted, unshared)
Examples of Use
Verb:
Biology: "Scientists are working to propagate endangered frog species in captivity." (National Geographic website)
Technology: "The antenna is designed to efficiently propagate radio waves over long distances." (Computer networking textbook)
Social Media: "False information can propagate quickly on social media platforms like Twitter." (News article about online misinformation)
Noun:
Horticulture: "Plant propagation involves techniques like cuttings and grafting to grow new plants." (Gardening blog)
Physics: "The propagation of sound waves is affected by factors like temperature and humidity of the air." (Introductory physics textbook)
History: "The rapid propagation of the Black Death devastated Europe in the 14th century." (Historical documentary)
Adjective (less common):
Botany: "Runners and stolons are propagative plant structures that allow them to spread vegetatively." (Scientific journal article)
Other forms (less common):
Propagator (noun): "He built a homemade propagator to germinate his tomato seeds indoors." (Gardening forum)
Non-propagative disease: "The common cold is a non-propagative disease that cannot be spread from pets to humans." (Veterinary website)
Self-propagating rumour: "The rumour about the celebrity sighting was self-propagating, gaining traction without any confirmation." (Entertainment news article)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Propagate
Unfortunately, while "propagate" is a well-understood word, it's not as common in famous quotes compared to simpler synonyms. Here are a few quotes that use the word or a close synonym, capturing the essence of propagation:
"The planting of a tree shows faith in the future." - Lucy Larcom (This quote uses "planting" to represent the act of propagation)
"Error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (This quote uses "multiplied propagation" to describe the spread of misinformation)
"Ideas are the source of power." - Mary Shelley (This quote captures the idea that ideas can be propagated and have a powerful impact)
"A rumour travels fast, but truth wears boots." - Bulgarian Proverb (This proverb highlights the rapid spread of rumours compared to the slower dissemination of truth)
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." - Voltaire (This quote emphasises the importance of questioning information before accepting it as truth)
"One small positive thought can change your whole day." - Zig Ziglar (This quote reflects the positive influence that can be spread through ideas and thoughts)
"The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Buddha (Similar to #6, this quote highlights the power of propagating positive thoughts)
"Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a handful of politicians, but the voters themselves." - Franklin D. Roosevelt (This quote emphasises the role of citizens in shaping ideas and beliefs within a society)
"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." - Gloria Steinem (This quote emphasises the potential discomfort that comes with questioning established beliefs)
"A single lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." - Charles Spurgeon (This quote highlights the speed at which misinformation can spread compared to the effort required to establish the truth)
Etymology
The word "propagate" comes from an older language called Latin, just like many English words do. Back in Roman times, they had a word "propagare" which meant "to spread a plant by taking a cutting or a shoot." Imagine taking a piece of a vine and planting it to grow a new plant – that's propagation!
The English language borrowed this word sometime in the 1500s. It kept the meaning of growing plants from a piece of another, but it also expanded to mean spreading other things too. Now we can use it to talk about spreading ideas, rumours, or even sound waves. So, even though it started with plants, "propagate" now covers a lot of ground (pun intended)!
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Propagate
Phrases and idioms using "propagate" are less common than using the word itself. However, here are a few options that capture the essence of spreading or transmitting something:
Propagate a rumour: This is a straightforward phrase meaning to spread a piece of unconfirmed information.
Propagate the faith: This idiom is often used in religious contexts and refers to spreading religious beliefs and practices.
Propagate knowledge: This phrase emphasises the act of sharing information and educating others.
The propagation of error: This emphasises the spread of mistakes or incorrect information.
Self-propagating system: This refers to a system that can continue functioning or growing without external intervention.
While not strictly idioms, some combinations using "propagate" are commonly used:
Propagate fire: This refers to the act of causing a fire to spread.
Propagate sound: This describes the transmission of sound waves through a medium like air or water.
Posts Related to Propagate
Source Information
Definition of propagate from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
