First Known Use: 1873
Dictionary
proliferate
verb pro·lif·er·ate \prə-ˈli-fə-ˌrāt\
: to increase in number or amount quickly
pro·lif·er·at·edpro·lif·er·at·ing
Full Definition of PROLIFERATE
intransitive verb
1
: to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring
2
: to increase in number as if by proliferating : multiply
transitive verb
1
: to cause to grow by proliferating
2
: to cause to increase in number or extent as if by proliferating
— pro·lif·er·a·tion \-ˌli-fə-ˈrā-shən\ noun
— pro·lif·er·a·tive \-ˈli-fə-ˌrā-tiv, -f(ə-)rə-tiv\ adjective
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Origin of PROLIFERATE
back-formation from proliferation, from French prolifération, from proliférer to proliferate, from prolifère reproducing freely, from Latin proles + -fer -ferous
Related to PROLIFERATE
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Rhymes with PROLIFERATE
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Medical Dictionary
proliferate
verb pro·lif·er·ate \prə-ˈlif-ə-ˌrāt\
pro·lif·er·at·edpro·lif·er·at·ing
Medical Definition of PROLIFERATE
intransitive verb
: to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring
transitive verb
: to cause to grow by proliferating
Learn More About PROLIFERATE
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