1. Capable of being propagated, or of being continued or multiplied by
natural generation or production.
2. Capable of being spread or extended by any means; -- said of tenets,
doctrines, or principles.
Prop`a*gan"da (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. L. de propaganda fide: cf. F.
propagande. See Propagate.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) (a) A congregation of cardinals, established in 1622,
charged with the management of missions. (b) The college of the
Propaganda, instituted by Urban VIII. (1623-1644) to educate priests
for missions in all parts of the world.
2. Hence, any organization or plan for spreading a particular doctrine
or a system of principles.
Prop`a*gan"dism (?), n. [Cf. F. propagandisme.] The art or practice of
propagating tenets or principles; zeal in propagating one's opinions.
Prop`a*gan"dist (?), n. [Cf. F. propagandiste.] A person who devotes
himself to the spread of any system of principles. "Political
propagandists." Walsh.
Prop"a*gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propagated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Propagating.] [L. propagatus, p. p. of propagare to propagate, akin to
propages, propago, a layer of a plant, slip, shoot. See Pro-, and cf.
Pact, Prop, Prune, v. t.]
1. To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive
production; -- applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed
of horses or sheep; to propagate a species of fruit tree.
2. To cause 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 the knowledge of; to
originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate; as,
to propagate a story or report; to propagate the Christian religion.
The infection was propagated insensibly.
De Foe.