Webster's English Dictionary

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proliferate

1. pro.lif.er.ate \pr*-'lif-*-.ra-t\ \-.lif-*-'ra--sh*n\ \-'lif-*-.ra-t-iv\ 
   vi [back-formation fr. proliferation, fr. F prolife`ration, fr. 
   pr]olife`rer to proliferate, fr. prolife're proliferous, fr. L proles + 
   -fer -ferous : to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or 
   offspring  - pro.lif.er.a.tion n
2. pro.lif.er.ate \-'lif-*-r*t, -.ra-t\ aj [back-formation fr. 
   proliferation] : developing a leafy shoot from a normally terminal organ {~ 
   flow ers}