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proliferate

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To proliferate is to multiply or to increase quickly in numbers.

(verb)

An example of proliferate is when one product gives rise to many copycat products, which are ever-increasing in number.

See proliferate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb proliferated, proliferating

to reproduce (new parts) in quick succession
to produce or create in profusion

Origin: back-form. < proliferation < Fr prolifération < prolifère, proliferous + -ation

intransitive verb

to grow by multiplying new parts, as by budding, in quick succession
to multiply rapidly; increase profusely

Related Forms:

proliferation noun

See proliferate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb pro·lif·er·at·ed, pro·lif·er·at·ing, pro·lif·er·ates

verb, intransitive

To grow or multiply by rapidly producing new tissue, parts, cells, or offspring.
To increase or spread at a rapid rate: fears that nuclear weapons might proliferate.

verb, transitive

To cause to grow or increase rapidly.

Origin:

Origin: Back-formation from proliferation, the act of proliferating

Origin: , from French prolifération

Origin: , from prolifère, procreative

Origin: : Latin prōlēs, prōl-, offspring; see proliferous

Origin: + Latin -fer, -fer

Related Forms:

pro·lifˌer·aˈtion noun

pro·lifˈer·aˌtive adjective

pro·lifˈer·aˌtor noun

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