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definitions

proliferate

[ pruh-lif-uh-reyt ]
/ prəˈlɪf əˌreɪt /

verb (used with or without object), pro·lif·er·at·ed, pro·lif·er·at·ing.

to grow or produce by multiplication of parts, as in budding or cell division, or by procreation.
to increase in number or spread rapidly and often excessively.

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Nearby words

  1. proletarize,
  2. proletary,
  3. proleukocyte,
  4. prolicide,
  5. prolidase,
  6. proliferating endarteritis,
  7. proliferating systematized angioendotheliomatosis,
  8. proliferation,
  9. proliferative,
  10. proliferative fasciitis

Origin of proliferate

First recorded in 1870–75; prolifer(ous) + -ate1
Related formspro·lif·er·a·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for proliferative

proliferate

/ (prəˈlɪfəˌreɪt) /

verb

to grow or reproduce (new parts, cells, etc) rapidly
to grow or increase or cause to grow or increase rapidly
Derived Formsproliferative, adjective

Word Origin for proliferate

C19: from Medieval Latin prōlifer having offspring, from Latin prōlēs offspring + ferre to bear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for proliferative
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for proliferative

proliferative

[ prə-lĭf′ə-rā′tĭv ]

adj.

Tending to proliferate.

proliferate

[ prə-lĭf′ə-rāt′ ]

v.

To grow or multiply by rapidly producing new tissue, parts, cells, or offspring.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.