Definition of proliferate

< pro-life

proliferous >

pro·lif·er·ate    (pr-lf-rt) KEY 

VERB:
pro·lif·er·at·ed, pro·lif·er·at·ing, pro·lif·er·ates
VERB:
intr.

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

VERB:
tr.

To cause to grow or increase rapidly.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Back-formation from proliferation, the act of proliferating, from French prolifération, from prolifère, procreative : Latin prls, prl-, offspring ; see proliferous + Latin -fer, -fer

OTHER FORMS:
pro·lifer·ation(Noun), pro·lifer·ative(Adjective), pro·lifer·ator(Noun)