/'prɒpəgeɪt; `prɑpə,ˇet/
v
1 [Tn] increase the number of (plants, animals, etc) by a natural processfrom the parent stock 繁殖（动植物等）; 使增殖
*propagate plants from seeds and cuttings 由种子和枝条繁殖植物
* propagate plants by taking cuttings 藉插枝繁殖植物.
2 [I, Tn] (of plants) reproduce (themselves) （指植物）繁殖, 繁衍, 增殖
*Plants won't propagate in these conditions.植物在这种条件下不能繁殖.
* Trees propagate themselves by seeds. 树木靠种子繁衍.
3 [Tn] (fml 文) spread (views, knowledge, beliefs, etc) more widely 传播（观点、知识、信仰等）
*Missionaries went far afield to propagate their faith. 传教士到远方去传播其信仰.
4 [Tn] (fml 文) cause or allow (sth) to pass through sth; transmit 促使或准许（某物）通过他物; 传导; 传送
*propagate vibrations through rock 通过岩石传导震动.

v formal
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin;Origin: , past participle of propagare 'to breed plants from shoots', from propago 'shoot from which a new plant is produced']
[T]formal
to spread an idea, belief etc to many people
　The group launched a website to propagate its ideas .
[I and T]
if you propagate plants, or if they propagate, they start to grow from a parent plant to produce new plants
　Propagate your plants in fresh soil.
[T]
if an animal, insect, etc propagates itself or is propagated, it increases in number
= reproduce
>propagation [,prɔpə'geɪʃən (US) ,prɑː-/