Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PROP'A-GATE, v.t. [L. propago; It. propaggine; G. pfropf, a stopple; pfropfen, to thrust, also to graft. See Prop. The Latin noun propago, is the English prop, and the termination ago, as in cartilago, &c. The sense of the noun is that which is set or thrust in.]

1. To continue or multiply the kind by generation or successive production; applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate any species of fruit tree.
2. To spread; to extend; to impel or continue forward in space; as, to propagate sound or light.
3. To spread from person to person; to extend; to give birth to, or originate and spread; as, to propagate a story or report.
4. To carry from place to place; to extend by planting and establishing in places before destitute; as, to propagate the Christian religion.
5. To extend; to increase. Griefs of my own lie heavy in my breast, / Which thou wilt propagate. – Shak.
6. To generate; to produce. Superstitious notions, propagated in fancy, are hardly ever totally eradicated. Richardson.