Literary notes about Propagate (AI summary)
In literature, the term "propagate" is employed with diverse connotations that span both literal and metaphorical realms. At times it denotes the physical reproduction or cultivation of species, as when discussing the breeding of livestock or the growth of plants ([1], [2], [3], [4]). In other contexts it refers to the deliberate spread of ideas, doctrines, or cultural practices, whether in the realm of philosophy, religion, or politics ([5], [6], [7], [8]). The word thus bridges natural processes and human endeavors—illustrated in philosophical musings on the propagation of thoughts and social movements ([9], [10], [11]) as much as it describes the inherent, organic drive for reproduction in nature ([12], [13]). This multifaceted usage underscores how "propagate" conveys both the biological act of creating new life and the metaphorical extension of influence across societies.
- I took with me six cows and two bulls alive, with as many ewes and rams, intending to carry them into my own country, and propagate the breed.
— from Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World by Jonathan Swift - A few tried to propagate it by cuttings, but generally failed to make it grow.
— from The Cultivation of The Native Grape, and Manufacture of American Wines by George Husmann - To propagate it, it is only necessary to divide the tubers any time from July to October.
— from Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Describing the Most Desirable Plants, for Borders, Rockeries, and Shrubberies. by J. G. (John George) Wood - The trees also have a reputation for being difficult to propagate.
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 41st Annual MeetingPleasant Valley, New York, August 28, 29 and 30, 1950 - [276] Fiction has not been confined to the study of manners and character, but has been extensively used to propagate opinions and to argue causes.
— from A History of English Prose Fiction by Bayard Tuckerman - In A.D. 724 two Japanese priests went over to China, and having mastered the Ris-shu doctrine, received permission to propagate it in Japan.
— from The Religions of Japan, from the Dawn of History to the Era of Méiji by William Elliot Griffis - Did England conquer India in order to propagate the Christian gospel?
— from The Coming Conquest of England by August Niemann - And she is an unimpeachable Christian, I am sure; perhaps of the very tribe, genus, and species you desire to propagate.
— from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy - For philosophers, after all, have this advantage over men of letters, that their minds, being more organic, can more easily propagate themselves.
— from Three Philosophical Poets: Lucretius, Dante, and Goethe by George Santayana - A Man, considered in his present State, seems only sent into the World to propagate his Kind .
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - The religion which a man held he might propagate by argument, though not by violence or insult to the religion of others.
— from History of the English People, Volume III The Parliament, 1399-1461; The Monarchy 1461-1540 by John Richard Green - From the strong principle of inheritance, any selected variety will tend to propagate its new and modified form.
— from The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin - Tireless workers, they improve and propagate the races!
— from The Reign of Greed by José Rizal
